Power transistors make a comeback

For more than three decades, power transistors have been the growth engine in the $21billion discrete semiconductor market. However, the sector has uncharacteristically struggled for the past two years, posting the first back to back annual sales declines in more than 30 years (-8% in 2012 and -6% in 2013). This year, IC Insights says worldwide sales will climb 8% to $12.5bn, and then jump by 9% in 2015 to a record high of $13.7bn. By 2018, sales are expected to reach $15.7bn. The rebound will be led by low voltage MOSFETs (up to 40V), high voltage MOSFETs (over 400V), and IGBT power modules, the market analyst said in a statement. Other factors influencing the rebound include strong demand for battery operated portable products, global efforts to reduce consumption of electricity with new energy efficient power supplies and ongoing efforts to improve plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles.