“Surging Demand for High-Purity Grades in Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing”
- A significant and accelerating trend in the global isopropyl alcohol market is the rising demand for ultra-high purity IPA in the semiconductor and electronics sectors, where it is widely used for wafer cleaning, lens polishing, and precision surface treatment due to its fast evaporation rate and residue-free finish
- For instance, in February 2024, LG Chem expanded its ultra-pure isopropyl alcohol production capacity in South Korea to meet increasing demand from global semiconductor manufacturers, driven by the rapid expansion of chip fabrication plants across Asia-Pacific
- High-purity isopropyl alcohol is critical in photolithography and microelectronics manufacturing, with companies investing in refining and purification technologies to produce electronics-grade IPA with minimal trace contaminants, ensuring consistent performance and quality control in cleanroom environments
- The increased adoption of AI-powered devices, electric vehicles (EVs), and IoT infrastructure is fueling growth in semiconductor output, thereby amplifying the need for semiconductor-grade IPA in countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and China
- In April 2023, Avantor, Inc. announced enhancements to its semiconductor material purification processes to supply ultra-high purity IPA and solvents to fabrication facilities in the United States and Europe, reflecting the globalization of chip production and supply chain diversification
- This trend toward high-purity IPA for precision applications is fundamentally reshaping supplier strategies and R&D investments in the isopropyl alcohol industry. Consequently, companies such as Tokuyama Corporation and INEOS are scaling production of electronics-grade IPA through advanced distillation techniques and closed-loop recycling systems to meet stringent purity demands
- The demand for specialized, ultra-pure isopropyl alcohol is growing rapidly across electronics, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing sectors, as industries prioritize chemical precision, process efficiency, and contamination-free environments
