Correction in the semiconductor market, but traditional markets on track

The semiconductor market is in a correction phase, which has been accentuated since at least the fourth quarter of 2022 by the US export restrictions against China. Overall for 2023, experts are projecting a global decline of 16–20% in investment in chip manufacturing equipment compared to the prior year. Like other market participants, chip manufacturers and equipment suppliers, Comet has scaled back its expectations accordingly – but only temporarily. The reason is that, underneath the current market downswing, our era of digitalization in an increasingly connected and integrated world provides continued structural support for demand growth. Artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, autonomous driving, and new technological applications are constantly fueling the use of data. This means that the demand for microchips will increase in the medium and long term – an opportunity for which Comet is preparing even in the current environment.

In Comet’s traditional volume markets of automotive, aerospace and security, the outlook for 2023 is positive overall, with differences in degree. In the automotive sector, industry analysts predict a further slight increase in global sales of new vehicles, led by demand for electric vehicles, which is to rise by 40%. The aerospace and security industries, too, are expected to see growth in global terms as travel continues to increase. These trends should have a positive impact for Comet in 2023, especially on demand for x-ray inspection solutions for non-destructive testing.

PCT – Commercialization of Synertia®, capacity expansion for next upswing. In light of the long-term structural demand in the semiconductor market, the focus of the Plasma Control Technologies division in 2023 will be on adapting nimbly to changes in demand from its customers. The task at hand for PCT is to further optimize production capacity, quality and delivery times. With a view to the next upswing and continuous efficiency improvements, Comet will carry out the announced expansion of its production in Penang, Malaysia, and consolidate its four individual sites in San Jose, California, under one roof for greater efficiency and collaboration. The new Synertia® RF power platform points the way to a new future for plasma process control in the semiconductor industry. Following its successful launch, the goal in 2023 is to respond to the high level of interest from customers by bringing to market and commercializing additional variants as quickly as possible. The same applies to the freshly launched 3rd-generation match controller.

IXS – Creating value for customers through artificial intelligence. The focus of the X-Ray Systems division is on raising the productivity of its customers with solutions that enable data-driven insights and automated analysis in quality inspection. To do so, it will expand its software and service offerings by inspection workflows and drive its transformation into an even more focused and market-driven company. Building on the successes of the past two years, the objective is to expand the collaboration with leading manufacturers in IXS focus markets, especially in the semiconductor industry, and to broaden the range of solutions for these applications.

IXM – Exploiting the market potential in non-destructive inspection and further advancing into new applications. The X-Ray Modules division has successfully positioned itself in new applications in the last two years, such as in the inspection of batteries and semiconductor & electronics components and in high-end computed tomography, by expanding its product portfolio with the award-winning MesoFocus tube and other innovations. The aim is to continue on this path while keeping careful control of the supply chain, and thus seize the opportunities in the volume markets.