The Global Solar Energy Etchants Market was valued at USD 675.68 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 991.48 Million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.60% during the forecast period (2024–2029). This robust growth is fueled by the global push for renewable energy, escalating investments in solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing, and the technological evolution towards high-efficiency solar cells that require precise and advanced chemical etching processes.

As the solar industry accelerates towards terawatt-scale production, the demand for high-purity etching chemicals is at an all-time high. These specialized etchants are critical for texturing silicon wafers, removing damaged layers, and defining intricate patterns that maximize light absorption and electrical output. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Solar Energy Etchants Industry—chemical giants and specialty suppliers who are enabling the next generation of solar technology.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Wet Etchants, Dry Etchants, High-Purity Chemicals for Photovoltaics

BASF is a global leader in the chemical industry, supplying a comprehensive portfolio of high-purity chemicals essential for solar cell manufacturing. Their offerings include advanced etching solutions for monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon, enabling superior surface texturing and passivation.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of next-generation etchants for PERC, TOPCon, and HJT solar cell architectures

• Focus on reducing chemical consumption and wastewater generation through optimized formulations

• Commitment to carbon-neutral growth by 2030

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9️⃣ 2. Stella Chemifa Corporation

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Ultra-High Purity Hydrogen Fluoride (HF), Buffered Oxide Etch (BOE)

Stella Chemifa is a premier supplier of ultra-high-purity hydrogen fluoride, a critical etchant for silicon oxide removal in solar wafer processing. The company’s products are renowned for their consistency and quality, serving leading solar manufacturers worldwide.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering high-purity fluorine-based chemicals

• Investment in recycling and recovery technologies for etching waste streams

• Strong focus on supply chain stability for the global semiconductor and PV industries

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Solar Energy Etchants Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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8️⃣ 3. Soulbrain Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Key Offering: Wet Etchants, Cleaners, Strippers for Solar Cell Production

Soulbrain is a leading South Korean manufacturer of high-purity process chemicals for electronics and energy applications. The company provides specialized etching solutions tailored for the high-throughput manufacturing environments of modern solar fabs.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• R&D focused on etchants for advanced heterojunction technology (HJT) solar cells

• Development of low-environmental-impact formulations

• Strategic partnerships with major PV panel producers in Asia

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7️⃣ 4. KMG Chemicals, Inc. (a subsidiary of Cabot Microelectronics)

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Electronic Grade Acids, Specialty Cleaning Formulations

KMG Chemicals, now part of Cabot Microelectronics, is a key supplier of high-purity process chemicals in North America. Their product line includes essential etchants like nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and hydrofluoric acid blends used in solar cell texturing and cleaning.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Providing integrated chemical management services to reduce customer operational costs

• Focus on product consistency and supply chain reliability

• Adherence to stringent environmental, health, and safety standards

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6️⃣ 5. Formosa Daikin Advanced Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Taipei, Taiwan
Key Offering: High-Purity Hydrogen Fluoride, Electronic Grade Chemicals

This joint venture between Formosa Plastics Group and Daikin Industries is a major force in the Asian market for high-purity fluorine-based chemicals. The company supplies critical etching agents to the thriving solar manufacturing ecosystem in Taiwan and across Southeast Asia.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Leveraging Daikin’s expertise in fluorine chemistry for advanced etchant development

• Expanding production capacity to meet growing regional demand

• Implementing closed-loop systems to minimize environmental footprint

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5️⃣ 6. Avantor, Inc.

Headquarters: Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Ultra-High Purity Acids, Etchants, Solvents

Avantor is a leading global provider of ultra-high-purity materials and solutions for the life sciences and advanced technology industries. Their J.T.Baker® brand is synonymous with quality in the PV sector, supplying etchants that meet the exacting standards of solar cell fabrication.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Extensive product portfolio supporting the entire solar cell manufacturing process

• Global distribution network ensuring reliable supply to manufacturers

• Commitment to sustainable operations and green chemistry principles

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Solar Energy Etchants Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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4️⃣ 7. Zhejiang Morita New Materials Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Solar Cell Texturing Etchants, Additives

As a prominent Chinese specialty chemical manufacturer, Zhejiang Morita New Materials has carved a significant niche in the domestic solar market. The company develops and produces proprietary etching formulations that enhance the light-trapping efficiency of silicon wafers.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Strong R&D focus on cost-effective etching solutions for mass production

• Custom formulations developed in close collaboration with leading Chinese PV manufacturers

• Expansion of production facilities to capitalize on China’s dominant position in solar manufacturing

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3️⃣ 8. Honeywell International Inc.

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Electronic Grade Hydrofluoric Acid, Specialty Etchants

Honeywell’s Electronic Materials division is a trusted global supplier of high-purity chemicals for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries. Their hydrofluoric acid and other etching products are critical for precise material removal in solar cell processing.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investment in production technologies that ensure superior product purity and consistency

• Development of safer handling and delivery systems for hazardous chemicals

• Global presence supporting the international expansion of solar manufacturing

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2️⃣ 9. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-Function Chemicals, Wet Process Chemicals for PV

Mitsubishi Chemical brings its vast expertise in chemical synthesis and material science to the solar industry. The company offers a range of high-performance etchants and cleaners that contribute to higher solar cell conversion efficiencies and manufacturing yields.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Advanced R&D targeting etchants for next-generation tandem and perovskite solar cells

• Commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

• Focus on developing circular economy models for chemical use in manufacturing

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1️⃣ 10. Do-Fluoride Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Henan, China
Key Offering: Fluoride-Based Etchants, Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride

Do-Fluoride Chemicals is one of China’s largest producers of fluoride chemicals, supplying essential raw materials and finished etchants to the solar and electronics industries. The company’s vertical integration provides a competitive advantage in cost and supply security.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

• Significant capital investment in expanding high-purity chemical production capacity

• Development of proprietary purification technologies

• Adoption of advanced environmental controls to manage fluoride emissions and waste

Get Full Report Here: Global Solar Energy Etchants Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Solar Energy Etchants Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The solar energy etchants market is undergoing a significant transformation. As solar cell technologies advance towards higher efficiencies and lower production costs, the demand for more sophisticated, selective, and environmentally benign etching chemistries is intensifying.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Transition from conventional acid texturing to advanced alkaline etching for monocrystalline PERC cells

• Growing adoption of dry etching techniques for delicate structures in HJT and TOPCon cells

• Increasing regulatory pressure driving the development of greener etching formulations with lower environmental impact

• Integration of AI and IoT for real-time monitoring and control of etching processes to optimize chemical usage and reduce waste

Get Full Report Here: Global Solar Energy Etchants Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential chemicals—they are enabling the technological evolution that is making solar energy the most affordable and scalable source of clean power worldwide.