The downturn in semiconductors forced a 20 percent overall drop in the ultrapure water system market in 2001 over 2000. However, growth in pharmaceutical and coal-fired power segments will help push the market past the 2000 peak of $2 billion by 2004, according to a study by McIlvaine Co., Northfield, Ill. In ¿Ultrapure Water: World Markets,¿ McIlvaine predicts the worldwide ultrapure water system market will reach $2.2 billion for systems and materials by 2004. McIlvaine further predicts the 2005 market will be $2.4 billion and then jump to $2.8 billion in 2006.
Among its uses, ultrapure water is required to generate steam in power plants and to wash chips in the semiconductor industry. Worldwide, the semiconductor segment was more than 50 percent of the total market in 2000. However, in recent years this segment has contributed only 40 percent of the revenue. Steady growth in power and pharmaceuticals have caused the market to rebound from the 2001 lows. By 2006, McIlvaine expects that recovery in the semiconductor industry, strong growth in flat-panel display facilities and the transformation from laboratory- to full-scale production in nano technology will provide powerful new growth factors to the ultrapure water segment.
Revenues for ultrapure water instruments and controls are expected to rise to more than $300 million a year by 2006, up from $225 million in 2000. Reverse osmosis system purchases are expected to rise to $274 million in 2006 up from $212 million in 2000. However, along the way they will have dipped to a low of $159 million in 2001.
For more information or to order a copy of the study, call (847) 784-0012 or visit www.mcilvainecompany.com.
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