News Article
Photomask market growth to slow in 2005
Photomask revenues leapt by 18.7% in 2004, thanks to strong semiconductor sales and a weak dollar, according to new figures from market analyst The Information Network (TIN).
Photomask revenues leapt by 18.7% in 2004, thanks to strong semiconductor sales and a weak dollar, according to new figures from market analyst The Information Network (TIN).
But the company is predicting far more modest growth for photomasks in 2005 of around 4.7%.
The strong photomask growth during 2004 was driven by Asia (excluding Japan), where the market grew by 21% to account for almost 30% of worldwide photomask revenues.
The North America photomask market was flat after dropping 19% in 2003, while the European market grew strongly, helped by DNPs new mask plant and its strategic partnership with STMicroelectronics.
DNP was the leading photomask company in 2004, with a 30.5% share of the merchant market, up from 29.5% in 2004, followed by Toppan with a 20.0% share (18.9% in 2003).
These positions are set to be reversed once Troppan completes its planned acquisition of Dupont Photomask. "The combined market share [of the two companies] would equate to a 38.8% share in 2004, well ahead of any competitor," said TIN president Robert Castellano.
But the company is predicting far more modest growth for photomasks in 2005 of around 4.7%.
The strong photomask growth during 2004 was driven by Asia (excluding Japan), where the market grew by 21% to account for almost 30% of worldwide photomask revenues.
The North America photomask market was flat after dropping 19% in 2003, while the European market grew strongly, helped by DNPs new mask plant and its strategic partnership with STMicroelectronics.
DNP was the leading photomask company in 2004, with a 30.5% share of the merchant market, up from 29.5% in 2004, followed by Toppan with a 20.0% share (18.9% in 2003).
These positions are set to be reversed once Troppan completes its planned acquisition of Dupont Photomask. "The combined market share [of the two companies] would equate to a 38.8% share in 2004, well ahead of any competitor," said TIN president Robert Castellano.
