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Following 2016 Rebound, Power Semiconductor Sales Continue to Grow

Oct. 4, 2017

Global power semiconductor revenues are on course to post yearly increases through 2021.

All categories of power semiconductors (power discretes, power modules, and power integrated circuits) were up for the year, with the discretes market seeing the biggest jump. Sales in all regions increased, with China revenues topping the list. IHS Markit forecasts the market growing by 7.5% in 2017 to $38.3 billion, then achieving yearly increases through 2021.

Automotive and Industrial Lead the Way

The automotive and industrial segments were particularly strong in 2016, with power semis in automotive growing by 7.0% and industrial by 5.0%. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)—such as blind-spot detection, collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control—are moving from luxury to mid-level vehicles, driving double-digit increases for power semiconductors in that category.

Power semiconductors, especially power modules and discretes, also saw sharp gains as the number of cars equipped with inverter systems for advanced start/stop and hybrid powertrains increased. In particular, power modules for cars and light trucks jumped 29.3% in 2016.

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In the broad industrial sector, the drive for energy efficiency improvement led to growth in renewable energy (solar and wind inverters), building and home control, and factory automation applications. Revenues from home appliances in the consumer segment also grew nicely, as advanced motor control systems found their way into white goods, fans, kitchen, and cleaning products.

Despite good gains, other categories were flat to down. Power module sales for industrial motor drives (a large sub-segment) slid 1.1%, and modules for traction applications were down 17.5% for the year. Power ICs for consumer application declined 4.9%, while power discretes for lighting applications were off 2.7%.

Growth to Continue

“The industry megatrends of vehicle electrification, advanced vehicle safety, energy efficiency, and connected everything will continue to drive growth over the next five years,” said Kevin Anderson, senior analyst, power management for IHS Markit. “IHS Markit predicts that the compound-average annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2016-2021 will be 4.8%. Regionally, the highest growth is projected in China, at 6.0% CAGR, followed closely by the rest of Asia, including Taiwan; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and the Americas—all with projected growth over 5%.”

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About the Author

Sam Davis

Sam Davis was the editor-in-chief of Power Electronics Technology magazine and website that is now part of Electronic Design. He has 18 years experience in electronic engineering design and management, six years in public relations and 25 years as a trade press editor. He holds a BSEE from Case-Western Reserve University, and did graduate work at the same school and UCLA. Sam was the editor for PCIM, the predecessor to Power Electronics Technology, from 1984 to 2004. His engineering experience includes circuit and system design for Litton Systems, Bunker-Ramo, Rocketdyne, and Clevite Corporation.. Design tasks included analog circuits, display systems, power supplies, underwater ordnance systems, and test systems. He also served as a program manager for a Litton Systems Navy program.

Sam is the author of Computer Data Displays, a book published by Prentice-Hall in the U.S. and Japan in 1969. He is also a recipient of the Jesse Neal Award for trade press editorial excellence, and has one patent for naval ship construction that simplifies electronic system integration.

You can also check out his Power Electronics blog.