Synthetic Quartz Market: Growth Prospects Within and Beyond Electronics Industry

In recent times, the rise of advanced technologies has been taking construction and manufacturing industries by storm amidst preferential shifts of industry operators as well as consumers. The impact of these technologies is also increasingly noticeable in the electronics industry, fueled by penetration of smartphones and other consumer electronics. This has further grabbed attention to range of materials used within the industry, particularly quartz.

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral available in the crust of the earth, which comprises of silicon and oxygen. The mineral is bifurcated into synthetic and natural forms. Currently, synthetic quartzis widely used in industrial applications across the globe owing to its significant properties.

Progression of Synthetic Quartz in 90s

Since the1990s, the demand for high-quality crystals augmented rapidly that mining activities around the world were incapable of delivering them in adequate quantities. However, this need was comprehended during World War 2, and private and military spaces began working on the procedure to grow synthetic quartz crystals in order to fulfill the special requirements of electronics and optical usage.

In today’s scenario, most of the synthetic quartz crystals that are used in the manufacturing of optical and electronic instruments are preferably grown in the laboratories instead of producing from mines. These labs grow their crystals with procedure based upon geological progress of hydrothermal activity. The process of growing synthetic quartz crystals in labs is competitive with mining, however, the only challenge is the availability of equipment used in the manufacturing process.

Synthetic Quartz in Today’s Electronics Industry

In the current scenario, due to excellent electrical conductivity, synthetic quartz crystals are rapidly replacing the demand for synthetic quartz glass. Along with this, synthetic quartz crystals have greater tolerance to extreme temperature and pressure, thereby gaining significant momentum in numerous landscapes.  A growing number of recent trends are further likely to widen the application and revenue-generating scope of synthetic quartz.

• Growing demand for electricity coupled with the depletion of existing energy sources, due to continuous rise in number of population, has accelerated the need for renewable sources of energy such as solar energy. The adoption rate of solar panelsworldwide is on the steady rise, in the view of increasing power consumption in both urban and semi-urban areas. Additionally, a noticeable increase in the projects funded by the government, majorly in Asian Pacific countries such as China and India will work in favor of the synthetic quartz market players.
• Advent of eco-friendly synthetic quartz is gaining traction in recent times in the industrial application such as manufacturing of electronics components. This is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market players.         

East Asia Takes Lead in the Global Synthetic Quartz Market

APAC accounts for the largest share in the global synthetic quartz market. Owing to several policies adopted by the government in the services and manufacturing sector, the demand for synthetic quartz is increasing in the region. Countries such as China and India are showcasing huge demand for the same, owing to strong presence of the automotive and electronic industries. Furthermore, growing capital expenditure in the ASEAN countries plays a pivotal role and creates a major impact on the market. On the other hand, developed regions such as North America and Europe are observing key developments in the field of electronic device manufacturing, which will positively impact the market revenue.

Growing Necessity of Synthetic Quartz in Lithography Tools

Synthetic quartz is used commonly in the process of lithography for decades. Its usage is attributed to the outstanding property of transparency to light in different wavelengths of the detectable spectrum and particularly low coefficient of thermal expansion. These tools of lithography are used for transmitting high-energy ultraviolet laser radiation, in order to produce large-scale integrated circuits on substrates. These components make them highly suitable for high or short-wavelength lasers.

High purity synthetic quartz is also used in the production of crucibles that attract single crystal silicon which is utilized in manufacturing solar cells and semiconductor devices. Owing to this, leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and semiconductors are increasing leveraging high purity quartz to set their products apart from the competition.