Silicon Carbide (SiC) Wafer Market Size, Growth, Share, Trends and Forecast, 2025 - 2032

Silicon Carbide (SiC) Wafer Market Share and Trends Analysis

The global silicon carbide (SiC) wafer market size is likely to be valued at US$ 2.27 bn in 2025 and is expected to reach US$ 8.29 bn by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 20.3% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032.

According to the Persistence Market Research report, the rising demand for power electronics, driven by strong global electric vehicle (EV) sales, industrial power systems, and consumer electronics, is fueling the growth of the silicon carbide (SiC) wafer market.

SiC wafers are thin, flat slices of crystalline silicon carbide material used to manufacture high-performance semiconductor devices. SiC wafers have a wide bandgap (~3.26 eV), high thermal conductivity, high breakdown electric field, and fast electron mobility, making them ideal for high-power, high-temperature, and high-frequency applications. They consist of a single-crystal SiC substrate and a doped epitaxial layer for device fabrication. Compared to traditional silicon wafers, SiC wafers enable energy-efficient, smaller, and more robust power electronics. They are widely used in EV inverters, renewable energy systems, industrial drives, aerospace electronics, and 5G infrastructure. Wolfspeed, Inc., Rohm Co., Ltd., and Fuji Electric are some of the major manufacturers.

Key Industry Highlights:

• The market is fueled by the rising demand for power electronics, driven by strong global EV sales, industrial power systems, and consumer electronics.
• The 6-inch (150 mm) SiC wafer segment dominates due to its compatibility with established fabrication technologies, higher device yield per wafer, and suitability for cost-effective mass production of power electronics.
• The 8-inch SiC wafer segment is anticipated to grow, driven by the growing demand for high-efficiency power electronics, especially in EV, industrial, and energy infrastructure sectors.
• Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate, driven by the increasing demand for high-power semiconductors in sectors such as EVs, telecommunications, and renewable energy.
• There is a high demand for SiC wafers in power electronics and LED lighting owing to their ability to handle higher voltages, temperatures, and switching frequencies with more efficiency than traditional silicon.

Global Market Attribute	Key Insights
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Wafer Market Size (2025E)	US$ 2.27 Bn
Market Value Forecast (2032F)	US$ 8.29 Bn
Projected Growth (CAGR 2025 to 2032)	20.30%
Historical Market Growth (CAGR 2019 to 2024)	14.80%

Market Dynamics

Driver - Increasing EV sales across the globe induces the need for SiC wafers

The growing adoption of EVs is boosting the SiC wafer demand, which is the most important component in power electronics. SiC wafers offer higher efficiency, greater thermal performance, and the ability to operate at higher voltages compared to traditional silicon, making SiC wafers ideal for critical EV components such as inverters, onboard chargers, and DC-DC converters. A major trend is the use of 800-volt charging architectures, allowing faster charging speeds. Porsche Taycan, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6 are EVs that can charge in under 20 minutes. SiC-based power electronics can handle these higher voltages and diminish energy losses and heat as they require fewer peripheral components for operation, thereby enhancing vehicle durability and range.

Global EV sales are very high, with 1.6 million units sold worldwide in May 2025, a 24% increase from the previous year. Asia Pacific is the dominant region, led by China with 12.87 million passenger EV sales in 2024, accounting for approximately 60% of the global EV sales. With a high demand for high-power vehicles, faster charging capabilities, and improved performance, SiC wafers have become the most sought-after components.

Restraint - High manufacturing costs restricts expansion strategies

A major market restraint is the high manufacturing costs in SiC production due to the inherent technical and economic challenges. SiC wafers are expensive due to the complexity of Physical Vapor Transport (PVT), which is an extremely high-temperature (above 2,000°C) and time-consuming process. The hardness and brittleness of the material make it difficult to process, thereby leading to lower yields and higher rates of wafer breakage or defects compared to traditional silicon wafers. These factors increase the wastage and slow down the throughput, escalating the costs. As it is a high-temperature process, costly and specialized equipment is required, adding to the capital expenditure. The epitaxial growth and doping processes on SiC wafers to ensure device performance also increase production expenses.

The complex and expensive processes involved in the SiC wafer production make them 3 to 10 times costlier than their silicon equivalents, limiting their adoption to only niche applications, including EVs, renewable energy, and aerospace. The introduction of 200 mm wafers is however, anticipated to bring down wafer costs by 30–40% compared to older 100 mm wafers. Researchers are exploring alternative techniques such as modified PVT, sublimation growth, and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods to improve the crystal quality, thereby reducing costs.

Opportunity - Increasing demand for SiC wafers in power electronic switches and LED lighting devices

There is a high demand for SiC wafers in power electronics and LED lighting owing to their ability to handle higher voltages, temperatures, and switching frequencies with more efficiency than traditional silicon. In power electronics, SiC enables next-generation switches such as MOSFETs and diodes in high-performance applications, including EV inverters used by companies including Tesla and Lucid Motors. Another major advantage is that these wafers support 800 V architectures for faster charging and better efficiency. The global shift toward electrification in transportation will accelerate the demand for SiC-based power electronics due to their ability to diminish size and increase efficiency. In 2024, Bosch announced the start of volume production of SiC power semiconductors to meet the growing market demand.

SiC components are used in solar inverters, wind turbines, and industrial motor drives to reduce energy losses, shrink system size, and minimize cooling needs. SiC wafers are also employed in the lighting sector, where they serve as substrates for ultraviolet LEDs, offering superior thermal conductivity. Companies including Wolfspeed use SiC wafers to produce energy-efficient LEDs for use in automotive headlamps and industrial & specialty lighting.

Category-wise Analysis

Wafer Type Insights

The 6-inch (150 mm) SiC wafer segment is anticipated to dominate the silicon carbide (SiC) wafer market, accounting for approximately 72% market share over the forecast period. Their compatibility with established fabrication technologies, higher device yield per wafer, and suitability for cost-effective mass production of power electronics are driving their demand. Compared to smaller wafers, the 6-inch platform offers superior scalability, and also offers excellent thermal conductivity and electrical performance. This wafer size is widely used in EVs for making SiC MOSFETs and diodes, boosting energy efficiency and fast charging in 800V platforms such as the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The 8-inch SiC wafer segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the forecast period. The shift toward 8-inch wafers is driven by the growing demand for high-efficiency power electronics, especially in EV, industrial, and energy infrastructure sectors. The move to 8-inch wafers will significantly reduce cost by enabling more chips to be fabricated per wafer. In renewable energy, they are used in high-power solar inverters and grid converters, while in industrial applications, they serve motor drives, robotics, and power supplies. The rollout of 5G networks and data centers will also increase the requirement for 8-inch SiC wafers. Wolfspeed opened the world’s first dedicated 8-inch SiC wafer fab in North Carolina and also partnered with major automotive players such as General Motors and Renault to supply SiC devices at scale.

End-user Insights

The automotive & electric vehicles (EVs) segment is anticipated to dominate, accounting for 23% market share over the forecast period. The market growth is due to the rapid electrification of vehicles and the growing demand for compact and energy-efficient power electronics. SiC wafers are used to fabricate high-performance semiconductor devices such as MOSFETs, Schottky diodes, and power modules essential for efficient energy conversion and management across systems in EVs. Key applications include traction inverters, onboard chargers (OBCs) that support ultra-fast charging in 800V EV architectures, and DC-DC converters. SiC also enhances battery management systems (BMS) and plays a vital role in external fast-charging infrastructure (EVSE), especially in high-power stations exceeding 350 kW. China leads adoption with companies including BYD, NIO, and XPeng using SiC modules. Tesla uses SiC in its Model 3 and Y.

The aerospace and defense segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period. The growth is driven by the need for high-performance and thermally stable power electronics that can operate in extreme environments. SiC wafers are particularly suitable for aerospace and defense applications due to their wide bandgap (~3.26 eV), high thermal conductivity, radiation resistance, and the ability to function at high voltages and temperatures. In aerospace, SiC power semiconductors are used in satellite power systems, electric propulsion, high-altitude aircraft, and avionics. SiC devices enable greater energy efficiency, reduced cooling requirements, and longer operational lifespans, which are crucial for space missions and airborne systems.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific Silicon Carbide (SiC) Wafer Market Trends

Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the market, accounting for a market share of approximately 48% over the forecast period. This expansion is driven by the increasing demand for high-power semiconductors in the EV, telecommunications, and renewable energy sectors. Many favorable government initiatives promoting energy-efficient technologies and rapid advancements in EV manufacturing are the key drivers.

The 6-inch SiC wafer segment is expected to dominate as it is ideal for automotive electronics & industrial applications. China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have the world’s largest and most advanced semiconductor fabrication facilities. China is a key player in the market, accounting for nearly half of the global production. High investments in EV production, renewable energy projects, and high-end electronics are fueling this growth. San’an Optoelectronics and TankeBlue Semiconductor are key players.

North America Silicon Carbide (SiC) Wafer Market Trends

North America is poised to experience rapid growth over the forecast period. The rising adoption of EVs (particularly 800V by Audi and Hyundai), power electronics, and renewable energy systems drive market growth. The region is also supported by significant government initiatives such as the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. In July 2023, Mercedes, BMW, GM, Stellantis, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, announced plans to combine their efforts to build an independent network of high-power charging stations in North America.

In February 2024, the IONNA LLC company began operations of the network under the name IONNA, with the goal of setting up 30,000 high-power charging points.

The growth in the U.S. is fueled by increasing demand from EVs, power electronics, and renewable energy applications. BP Pulse is installing ultrafast EV charging stations in Texas, Georgia, and Florida. Each site is expected to feature six 400kW DC fast chargers compatible with both CCS and Tesla's NACS connectors. Stellantis and Samsung SDI have formed a joint venture called StarPlus, constructing two giga-factories with a combined investment of over US$ 6.3 bn. The first plant is scheduled to begin production in early 2025, with an annual capacity of 33 GWh.

Europe Silicon Carbide (SiC) Wafer Market Trends

Europe is also experiencing significant growth in the market due to the increasing demand for high-efficiency semiconductors in EVs, renewable energy systems, and industrial applications. This expansion is supported by the European Union's Chips for Europe Initiative, which aims to boost semiconductor production in the region. The EU’s stringent fleet-wide CO? emissions standards for new cars push automakers to shift their lineups toward zero-emission vehicles or face heavy fines, driving the EV demand.

Germany plays a central role in Europe's SiC wafer industry. Companies including Bosch and Infineon are investing heavily in SiC semiconductor manufacturing. Bosch has expanded its 200 mm wafer capacity in Reutlingen and Dresden, focusing on power semiconductors for EVs and industrial applications. Germany provided government incentives for fully electric vehicles under its now-restructured Umweltbonus program.

Competitive Landscape

The global silicon carbide (SiC) wafer market is highly competitive and fragmented, with numerous established global and regional players offering a wide range of products and vying for higher market share. Key players are focusing on developing innovative product solutions, such as 8- and 12-inch SiC wafers.

Key Industry Developments:

• In February 2025, Infineon Technologies AG started releasing its first products based on 200 mm SiC wafers.
• In June 2024, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. introduced 16 new Gen 3 1200 V SiC Schottky diodes featuring a merged PIN Schottky (MPS) design.

Companies Covered in Silicon Carbide (SiC) Wafer Market

• Wolfspeed Inc.
• Coherent Corp. (II-VI Incorporated)
• Xiamen Powerway Advanced Material Co.
• STMicroelectronics (Norstel AB)
• Resonac Holdings Corporation
• Atecom Technology Co. Ltd
• SK Siltron Co. Ltd
• SiCrystal GmbH
• TankeBlue Co. Ltd
• Semiconductor Wafer Inc.