Segment Analysis of Sputtering Targets for Semiconductors Market: Products, Applications, and End-Users

In Business Insights
September 10, 2025

The global Sputtering Targets for Semiconductors market was valued at US$ 1.42 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 2.18 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. The influence of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War were considered while estimating market sizes.

Sputtering targets for semiconductors are specialized materials used in physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes to create thin films on semiconductor wafers. These targets must meet exceptional purity standards (typically 99.99% to 99.9999%) and maintain uniform composition across large dimensions. The semiconductor industry relies on sputtering targets for creating conductive interconnects, barrier layers, and gate electrodes in advanced chips.

Market growth is being driven by the expansion of semiconductor fabrication facilities worldwide, particularly for advanced nodes below 10nm. The transition to 3D chip architectures and increased adoption of compound semiconductors are creating new demand patterns for specialized target materials.

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Segmentation by Product Type

The sputtering targets market can be categorized into five primary material types based on composition and application requirements:

1. Tungsten (W) Targets

Tungsten targets are essential for creating interconnect layers and via fill applications in logic and memory chips due to their excellent conductivity and electromigration resistance.

  • Market Insight: W targets represent the largest product segment, accounting for over 30% of market revenue. Demand is strongest from foundries producing advanced logic chips at 7nm and below.
  • Trend: The development of tungsten alloys with improved grain structure is gaining traction to address challenges in sub-5nm node deposition processes.

2. Cobalt (Co) Targets

Cobalt has emerged as a critical material for advanced interconnects, replacing copper in some applications due to better scaling characteristics at nanometer dimensions.

  • Market Insight: Co targets are the fastest-growing segment, with demand increasing at 8.5% CAGR through 2029. Leading semiconductor manufacturers have adopted cobalt for critical middle-of-line layers.
  • Trend: Research focus is on hybrid Co/W targets that combine the benefits of both materials for next-generation interconnects.

3. Nickel (Ni) Targets

Used primarily for creating barrier layers and seed layers in interconnect structures, nickel targets offer good adhesion and diffusion barrier properties.

  • Market Insight: Nickel targets maintain steady demand from mature fab nodes, often used in conjunction with copper interconnects.
  • Trend: Development of nickel alloy targets with rare earth elements is showing promise for 3D NAND applications.

4. Titanium (Ti) Targets

Titanium targets are fundamental for adhesion layers and diffusion barriers in semiconductor devices, particularly in memory and power electronics.

  • Market Insight: The segment accounts for approximately 18% of total market value, with strong demand from DRAM manufacturers.
  • Trend: Advanced titanium nitride (TiN) targets are gaining importance for gate electrode applications in FinFET transistors.

5. Other Material Targets

This category includes aluminum, copper, tantalum, and compound semiconductor targets for specialized applications.

  • Market Insight: Compound semiconductor targets (GaN, SiC) represent an emerging high-growth area, particularly for power electronics.
  • Trend: Increasing R&D investment in ruthenium and molybdenum targets for next-generation interconnect solutions.

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Segmentation by Application

Sputtering targets serve critical functions across multiple semiconductor manufacturing processes:

1. Electrode Materials

Used for creating gate electrodes, capacitor electrodes, and other conductive components in semiconductor devices.

  • Insight: The transition to 3D NAND and DRAM scaling continues to drive demand for advanced electrode materials.
  • Trend: Development of work-function tunable electrode materials for advanced logic nodes.

2. Wiring Materials

Critical for forming interconnect structures that link transistors and components in integrated circuits.

  • Insight: Accounts for the largest application segment, driven by increasing metal layer counts in advanced chips.
  • Trend: Cobalt and ruthenium are gaining share as copper alternatives for nanometer-scale interconnects.

3. Compound Semiconductor Materials

Used in manufacturing GaN, SiC, and other wide bandgap semiconductor devices.

  • Insight: Fastest-growing application segment, expanding at 9.1% CAGR through 2029.
  • Trend: Increasing adoption in power electronics for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.

4. Capacitor Materials

Essential for DRAM capacitors and decoupling capacitors in advanced packages.

  • Insight: High-k dielectric targets are in strong demand as capacitor structures scale vertically.
  • Trend: Development of conformal deposition processes for 3D capacitor structures.

5. Other Applications

Includes barrier layers, anti-reflection coatings, and specialized optoelectronic applications.

  • Insight: Emerging applications in advanced packaging technologies like hybrid bonding.
  • Trend: Increased use of sputtering in wafer-level packaging for heterogeneous integration.

Segmentation by End-User

1. Semiconductor Foundries

Pure-play foundries and IDMs represent the largest end-user segment for sputtering targets.

  • Insight: TSMC, Samsung, and Intel account for over 60% of advanced node target consumption.
  • Trend: Foundries are working closely with target suppliers to co-develop materials for sub-3nm nodes.

2. Memory Manufacturers

DRAM and NAND flash producers require specialized targets for capacitor and memory cell formation.

  • Insight: Memory accounts for approximately 35% of total target consumption.
  • Trend: 3D NAND scaling is driving demand for high-aspect-ratio deposition solutions.

3. Power Device Makers

Companies manufacturing power semiconductors and RF devices use compound semiconductor targets.

  • Insight: Fastest-growing end-user segment as EV adoption accelerates globally.
  • Trend: Shift toward 200mm GaN-on-Si wafer production is creating new demand patterns.

4. Research Institutions

Universities and government labs developing next-generation semiconductor technologies.

  • Insight: Critical for early-stage material development and process validation.
  • Trend: Increased funding for quantum computing research is creating new application areas.

5. Equipment Manufacturers

PVD equipment makers that bundle targets with their systems.

  • Insight: Important channel for target manufacturers to access smaller fabs.
  • Trend: Growing adoption of integrated material solutions for advanced packaging.

The sputtering targets for semiconductors market reflects the broader trends in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. By product type, tungsten continues to dominate but cobalt is rapidly gaining importance for advanced nodes. By application, wiring materials maintain strong demand while compound semiconductor applications show exceptional growth potential. By end-user, foundries and memory makers drive volume while power semiconductor producers represent the most dynamic growth segment.

Read Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/239786/global-sputtering-targets-for-semiconductors-forecast-market-2023-2032-747 

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/239786/global-sputtering-targets-for-semiconductors-forecast-market-2023-2032-747