Turbomolecular Pumps Market

Market Overview

The global turbomolecular pumps market size was valued at USD 1.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 2.1 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Turbomolecular pumps' advantages include operational proficiency, high vacuum, and increased productivity, which, combined with stringent energy-saving government requirements, is projected to fuel the Turbomolecular pump market growth.

Turbomolecular pumps are sophisticated vacuum pumps that create and sustain high-vacuum conditions in various commercial and research applications. They are critical in procedures that demand a precise and clean vacuum, such as semiconductor fabrication, Analytical Instrumentation, surface analysis, and research studies.

The turbomolecular pumps market share is expected to increase at a healthy rate due to the rapid expansion of the semiconductor sector, the miniaturization trend in the electronics and electric industries, and the emergence of electronic vehicles. The increasing need for analytical instruments in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries and the burgeoning biotechnology industry contribute to market growth. However, the turbomolecular pumps market is quite mature, and its overall growth rate is projected to affect value and volume.

Market Dynamics

Global Turbomolecular Pumps Market Drivers:

Semiconductor Industry Growth

The rise of the semiconductor sector mainly drives the rising demand for turbomolecular pumps. These pumps are vital in semiconductor manufacturing because sustaining high-vacuum settings is required for precise and contamination-free production. Turbomolecular pumps, for example, remove gas from the deposition chamber during physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) procedures, allowing thin-film development on semiconductor wafers to proceed. 

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), global semiconductor sales in 2023 are predicted to be USD 526.8 billion, down 8.2% from USD 574.1 billion in 2022. However, the market will likely develop in the second half of 2023, with sales increasing by 13.1% in 2024. This increase reflects the growing need for semiconductor-related equipment, which includes vacuum pumps such as turbomolecular pumps.

Furthermore, turbomolecular pump makers frequently stress the use of their devices in semiconductor fabrication. For example, Pfeiffer Vacuum, a leading producer, highlights the function of turbomolecular pumps in maintaining the essential vacuum levels for semiconductor processes, thereby contributing to the industry's progress. The semiconductor industry's expansion is a significant driver of the turbomolecular pumps market trend, supported by rising demand for electronic devices and the vital function of high-vacuum settings in semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Global Turbomolecular Pumps Market Restraints:

High Initial Cost

Turbomolecular pumps may have a high initial cost. The initial expenditure required to purchase, install, and maintain these advanced vacuum systems can be too expensive for smaller firms, research organizations, and industries with limited budgets. Furthermore, the initial investment cost of a turbomolecular pump (TMP) can be prohibitive for small businesses or research institutions. Turbomolecular pumps are kinetic vacuum pumps requiring a rapidly spinning rotor. They typically work at high to ultra-high pressures of 10-3 to 10-11 mbar, with pumping rates ranging from 10 to 4,000 l/s.

Additionally, the pricing of turbomolecular pumps reflects their high starting costs, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the pump's specs and features. For example, the Pfeiffer TMU260 turbo pump costs approximately USD 2,950, whereas the Pfeiffer HiCube 80 Eco. Costs USD 4,950. In semiconductor manufacture, where ultra-high vacuum conditions are required, the initial investment in turbomolecular pumps is justified by their precision and reliability in processes such as thin-film deposition and ion implantation. However, the upfront cost may inhibit smaller semiconductor makers or research organizations with restricted finances.

Global Turbomolecular Pumps Market Opportunity:

Emerging Technologies and Applications

The emergence of innovative technologies and new applications requiring high vacuum conditions provides substantial potential for turbomolecular pump producers. For example, the growing usage of vacuum technology in developing sectors like quantum computing, nanotechnology, and advanced materials research generates a demand for specialized vacuum solutions. 

In addition, turbomolecular pumps are essential in developing quantum computing and technology. Quantum computing relies on building and maintaining an ultra-high vacuum environment to avoid interference from external particles during quantum operations. Turbomolecular pumps are critical in establishing the vacuum conditions required for quantum computers to function correctly. As quantum computing advances and gains popularity, the demand for specialized turbomolecular pumps customized to the specific needs of quantum applications is projected to increase. 

According to Forbes, quantum computing is best positioned as a new accelerator technology analogous to a graphics processing unit (GPU), digital signal processor (DSP), or field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The growing usage of quantum technologies, such as quantum computing and quantum communication, increases the demand for vacuum solutions, offering opportunities for turbomolecular pump makers. Collaborations with quantum research institutions and industries can help co-develop vacuum solutions adapted to the unique requirements of quantum technologies.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

The global turbomolecular pumps market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global turbomolecular pumps market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific has the largest market share for turbomolecular pumps due to the region's substantial production of semiconductors and flat-panel displays. China, the Asian market leader, has experienced the most robust growth compared to other countries. The semiconductor business has grown significantly in recent years due to the widespread use of smartphones and increased global digitalization. Furthermore, the rising use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is shifting patterns in various industries, accelerating market growth. According to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), the Asia-Pacific semiconductor market is anticipated to contract by 14.4% in 2023. The remaining regions are likely to experience a decline. China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam are also poised to become the world's leading producers of flat-panel displays; according to data from the China Video Industry Association and the China Optics and Optoelectronics Manufacturers Association, the country invested over USD 120 billion in flat-panel display production lines and over USD 75 billion in liquid crystal display (LCD) panel production. 

Moreover, with rising demand for displays for televisions, cellphones, PCs, and other electronic items, prominent manufacturers of flat panel displays and LCDs are ramping up production to increase export revenue. For example, Chinese display panel producer BOE Technology Group Co Ltd announced on Tuesday night that it will invest 63 billion yuan (USD 8.8 billion) in Chengdu, Sichuan province, to establish a new active-matrix organic light-emitting diode, or AMOLED, production line. According to a filing with the Shenzhen stock exchange, the project's goods will mostly be high-end touch screens used on laptops and tablets. 

However, flat-panel displays and semiconductors require a clean, oil-free vacuum environment, which turbomolecular pumps can provide. They are commonly utilized in semiconductor doping as well as ion implantation. A semiconductor manufacturing facility with a monthly throughput of 40,000 wafers will require around 2000 pumps and over 500 turbos. The robust semiconductor and flat panel display production infrastructures in China, Japan, and Taiwan provide abundant growth possibilities for the regional turbomolecular pumps industry.

North America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period. North America, particularly the United States, is significant in the semiconductor industry and research sectors. This increases the demand for turbomolecular pumps. Research institutions, universities, and high-tech firms help drive market expansion in this region. In 2022, the US government enacted the CHIPS and Science Act to support semiconductor research and manufacture. Strengthens America's economy, national security, and supply chains. The North American semiconductor equipment market is a significant portion of the global market, and turbomolecular pumps are essential components of semiconductor production equipment.

Furthermore, North American nanotechnology research institutions and laboratories use turbomolecular pumps to provide ultra-high vacuum settings required for nanoscale studies. For example, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in the United States funds various nanotechnology research initiatives that use advanced vacuum systems, such as turbomolecular pumps, to manipulate and study materials at the nanoscale. The United States government has budgeted USD 1.99 billion for the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) for 2023. The NNI's budget request 2023 includes funding for foundational research and development and application-driven research. 

As a result, the North American turbomolecular pumps market is influenced by the region's leadership in semiconductor production, extensive nanotechnology research activities, and the widespread use of modern analytical instruments. Ongoing technical breakthroughs and a strong emphasis on research and development help drive market growth and innovation in the region.

European countries, particularly Germany and the Netherlands, have semiconductor manufacturing facilities that use turbomolecular pumps for crucial processes in chip manufacture. According to The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), IN 2023, Europe was the only regional market that saw a yearly increase in 2023, with sales growing by 4.0%. Europe has a strong aerospace sector, with businesses such as Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales playing essential roles in advancing space technology. The demand for turbomolecular pumps in aerospace applications originates from the necessity for dependable vacuum systems in testing and research facilities.

While the Middle East and Africa market is smaller than other regions, it is impacted by advances in industries such as oil and gas, materials science, and university research institutes. Middle Eastern countries, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have invested in research and innovation hubs, driving demand for innovative laboratory equipment such as turbomolecular pumps. The region's oil and gas industry fuels research activities to improve extraction methods, and laboratories use turbomolecular pumps to examine materials under high-vacuum settings. Government support and investment in research infrastructure contribute to the widespread use of turbomolecular pumps in various scientific and industrial applications.

Segmental Analysis

The global turbomolecular pumps market is segmented based on type and industry.

The market is further segmented by type into Magnetically Suspended and Oil Lubricated.

Magnetically suspended turbomolecular pumps are an advanced and novel design that uses magnetic bearings for rotor suspension rather than standard mechanical bearings lubricated with oil. In this setup, electromagnets provide magnetic fields that lift and stabilize the rotor, eliminating physical contact between the rotating and stationary components. This design has various advantages, including lower friction, less wear and tear, and no lubricating fluid. Removing mechanical bearings reduces vibration levels, contributing to a cleaner vacuum atmosphere. Magnetically suspended turbomolecular pumps are ideal for applications requiring ultra-high vacuum conditions and low contamination, such as semiconductor production and high-end research.

Furthermore, during the last three decades, the world has seen a surge in industrialization and globalization, resulting in higher production demand from the industries above, boosting demand for turbomolecular pumps in the market.

Oil-greased turbomolecular pumps have a more traditional design, with mechanical bearings lubricated with oil to sustain the pump's rotor. These pumps use a thin lubricating oil film to reduce friction and ensure smooth operation. While oil-lubricated pumps have long been the industry norm, technological breakthroughs have created alternative designs, such as magnetically suspended pumps. Oil-lubricated turbomolecular pumps are known for their dependability, toughness, and proven performance in various industrial applications. They are appropriate for applications that need the presence of a lubricating medium and prioritize high pumping speeds and efficiency.

The industry can further bifurcate the market into Industrial Vacuum Processing, Nanotechnology Instruments, and Analytical Instrumentation.

Analytical Instrumentation includes analyzing and characterizing materials, chemicals, and compounds. Turbomolecular pumps are used in mass spectrometers, electron microscopes, and surface analysis. These instruments frequently require high-vacuum settings for accurate and consistent chemical analysis, material characterization, and surface imaging results. Turbomolecular pumps help to evacuate sample chambers and columns, allowing for exact measurements and observations in analytical processes in industries such as healthcare, environmental monitoring, and materials research.

Nanotechnology instruments are tools and equipment used in nanoscience and nanotechnology that modify materials and structures at the nanoscale. Turbomolecular pumps are critical components of devices such as scanning tunneling microscopes (STMs), atomic force microscopes (AFMs), and other nanofabrication equipment. These tools require ultra-high vacuum conditions to diagnose and manipulate nanoscale objects accurately. Turbomolecular pumps help create the appropriate vacuum environment, allowing researchers and scientists to study and control nanoscale materials for various applications such as electronics, materials science, and medical research.

Recent Developments

• January 2024- Agilent and Incyte announced a collaboration to develop Advanced Companion Diagnostics in Hematology and Oncology.
• October 2023- The TURBOLAB Core family are Leybold entry-level vacuum stations designed for industrial and scientific applications. They are popular in academia and are excellent for smaller-scale research laboratories. They combine a main pump, turbomolecular pump, and controller into a single unit, providing simple plug-and-play functionality for various scientific applications.
• February 2024- Shimadzu Corporation and Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI) announced the development of an innovative technique, double isotope-mediated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (dimeLC-MS/MS), which has the potential to revolutionize aging research and extend healthy life expectancy.