The Global Photovoltaic Wet Process Additive Market was valued at USD 728.4 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.2 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is fueled by the accelerating global transition to renewable energy, rising demand for high-efficiency solar panels, and increasing investments in photovoltaic manufacturing capacity across Asia, North America, and Europe.

As the solar industry advances toward higher cell efficiencies and more sustainable production methods, specialized chemical additives have become critical for optimizing manufacturing yields and performance. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Photovoltaic Wet Process Additive Industry—a dynamic mix of established chemical giants and innovative specialists shaping the future of solar cell production.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Texturizing agents, cleaning chemicals, anti-reflective coatings

BASF is a global leader in specialty chemicals for the photovoltaic industry, providing a comprehensive portfolio of wet process additives that enhance silicon wafer processing. Their solutions are designed to improve surface passivation, reduce reflectivity, and increase the light absorption capabilities of solar cells, leading to higher conversion efficiencies.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of next-generation texturing additives for PERC and TOPCon cell architectures

• Strategic partnerships with leading PV manufacturers in China and Southeast Asia

• R&D focus on reducing chemical consumption and water usage in wafer processing

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Photovoltaic Wet Process Additive Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Etchants, cleaners, surface modification additives

DuPont offers advanced wet chemistry solutions for photovoltaic manufacturing, with a strong focus on improving process efficiency and cell performance. Their additives are used in critical stages including wafer cleaning, texturing, and surface preparation for metallization.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Proprietary formulations for monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon processing

• Collaboration with equipment manufacturers for integrated process solutions

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8️⃣ 3. Merk KGaA

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: Wet chemicals, dispersion agents, surface treatment additives

Merck’s electronic materials division provides high-purity chemicals for photovoltaic applications, including specialized additives that optimize wet processing steps. Their products help manufacturers achieve superior surface quality and electrical properties in finished solar cells.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Advanced formulation development for heterojunction technology (HJT) cells

• Expansion of production capacity for PV-grade chemicals in Asia

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7️⃣ 4. Wacker Chemie AG

Headquarters: Munich, Germany
Key Offering: Silicon-based chemicals, cleaning agents, surface modifiers

Wacker Chemie leverages its expertise in silicon chemistry to develop innovative additives for photovoltaic manufacturing. Their products are used in various wet processes including saw damage removal, texturing, and cleaning operations.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of environmentally friendly texturing solutions

• Focus on additives compatible with ultra-thin wafer processing

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Photovoltaic Wet Process Additive Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Evonik Industries AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: Surfactants, dispersing agents, surface treatment chemicals

Evonik specializes in specialty chemicals that enhance the wet processing of silicon wafers. Their additives improve the uniformity of chemical treatments and help reduce defects in solar cell manufacturing.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of biodegradable surfactants for sustainable PV manufacturing

• Customized additive solutions for specific manufacturing challenges

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5️⃣ 6. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Headquarters: Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: High-purity chemicals, process gases, surface treatment additives

Air Products provides essential chemicals and additives used in photovoltaic manufacturing processes. Their wet process additives help optimize cleaning efficiency and surface preparation for subsequent processing steps.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Integration of chemical management with equipment solutions

• Focus on reducing chemical waste and improving process sustainability

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4️⃣ 7. Cabot Corporation

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Slurry additives, surface conditioning chemicals

Cabot Corporation develops specialized additives for photovoltaic wafer processing, particularly in polishing and surface preparation applications. Their expertise in materials science enables improved process control and cell performance.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of additives for next-generation cell architectures

• Collaboration with PV manufacturers on process optimization

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3️⃣ 8. Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-purity etching chemicals, surface treatment additives

Sumitomo Chemical provides advanced wet process additives for the photovoltaic industry, with a strong presence in Asian markets. Their products are designed to meet the stringent purity requirements of modern solar cell manufacturing.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Expansion of electronic chemicals portfolio for PV applications

• Development of additives for high-efficiency cell technologies

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2️⃣ 9. JSR Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Polymer additives, surface modifiers, cleaning agents

JSR Corporation develops innovative chemical solutions for photovoltaic manufacturing, leveraging their expertise in materials science. Their wet process additives help improve manufacturing yield and cell efficiency.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on additives for advanced cell structures including tandem cells

• Development of environmentally sustainable chemical solutions

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1️⃣ 10. Entegris, Inc.

Headquarters: Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: High-purity process chemicals, filtration systems, additive packages

Entegris specializes in materials integrity management for high-technology manufacturing, including photovoltaic production. Their wet process additives are designed to maintain chemical purity and process consistency throughout solar cell manufacturing.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Integrated solutions combining chemicals, filtration, and handling systems

• Focus on contamination control and process reliability

Get Full Report Here: Global Photovoltaic Wet Process Additive Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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☀️ Outlook: The Future of Photovoltaic Manufacturing Is Smarter and More Efficient

The photovoltaic wet process additive market is undergoing significant transformation as solar cell technologies advance toward higher efficiencies and lower production costs. While traditional additives continue to dominate current manufacturing, the industry is investing heavily in next-generation formulations that enable advanced cell architectures and sustainable production methods.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• R&D focus on additives for PERC, TOPCon, HJT, and tandem cell technologies

• Increasing demand for environmentally friendly and reduced-chemical-consumption formulations

• Integration of digital monitoring and control systems for additive dispensing

• Strategic partnerships between additive suppliers and PV manufacturers for co-development

Get Full Report Here: Global Photovoltaic Wet Process Additive Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential chemicals for solar manufacturing—they’re driving the technological innovation that will define the next generation of photovoltaic technology.