Electronic chemicals
30 June 2009 Speciality Chemicals Magazine
www.specchemonline.com
power plants or operate potentially environmentally
damaging generating sources.
Goulden Reports states that in 2009, SmartGrid
companies may generate $25 billion in revenues
and represent the biggest and fastest growing sec-
tor in the GreenTech possibly even the entire - tech-
nology market.2 Various SmartGrid companies have
reported stellar growth. For example, Rugged.com
reported a 204% increase in profitability on revenue
growth of 54% for Q2 in fiscal 2009.
It is clear that the blossoming energy sector offers
a wealth of opportunities for electronics chemicals in
renewable energy devices, such as PV, smart end
user devices, smart energy management systems,
systems control, energy distribution, storage and
metering, and utility communications. Many of the
potential systems depend strongly on semiconduc-
tor devices and the ingenuity to tailor solutions to
specific applications in new ways.
As stated earlier, the desired device solution or
packaging of the device often means that new mate-
rials are required to make it possible. Many innova-
tions that are required in materials are underpinned
by the ongoing evolution of materials chemistry,
which in turn means ample opportunities in future
for electronic chemicals suppliers.
Conclusion
Despite the stagnant conditions seen in the global
economy in 2009, the longer-term outlook, at least
for semiconductor industries, remains positive. Work
continues on developing the chemistries that will
facilitate future generations of electronics.
With devices becoming smaller and offering
greater performance and functionality, chemistry still
enjoys a pivotal role in the electronics revolution and
it is unlikely that this will diminish. Moreover, with
an increased focus being put on energy and the
environment, significant market opportunities con-
tinue to open up for electronics manufacturers to
branch out into new areas such as PV.
Increased levels of collaboration throughout the
supply chain as companies look to share the devel-
opment costs and drive toward innovative solutions
in R&D will continue. Additionally, the focus on
COO will be playing an increasingly important role
throughout the electronics industry and will only
intensify in the future. In this new paradigm, oppor-
tunities abound where increasingly focused multi-
discipline collaborations and chemistry are the key
enablers continuing to drive innovation for a better
future.
Note: EpiVapor and EpiFill are trademarks of SAFC Hitech
For more information, please contact:
Dr Geoff Irvine
VP, Business Development
SAFC Hitech
1429 Hilldale Avenue
Haverhill, MA 01832
USA
Tel: +1 978 374 5200 x 287
E-mail: geoff.irvine@sial.com
Website: www.safchitech.com
References:
1. www.energetics.com/gridworks/grid.html
2. Global Electrical Infrastructure Generation,
Transmission & Distribution Equipment & Services: A
Market & Competitive Analysis 2007-2017, Goulden
Reports, July 2007
Automated lab reactor at UK facility

Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12Page 13Page 14Page 15Page 16Page 17Page 18Page 19Page 20Page 21Page 22Page 23Page 24Page 25Page 26Page 27Page 28Page 29Page 30Page 31Page 32Page 33Page 34Page 35Page 36Page 37Page 38Page 39Page 40Page 41Page 42Page 43Page 44Page 45Page 46Page 47Page 48Page 49Page 50Page 51Page 52Page 53Page 54Page 55Page 56Page 57Page 58Page 59Page 60Page 61Page 62Page 63Page 64Page 65Page 66Page 67Page 68 Produced by PageSuite