Global semiconductor materials and back-end processing trends are gaining momentum. Against the backdrop of SEMI statistics and developments surrounding Chips Act 2.0, 20 stocks including Sumitomo Bakelite and Resonac are reviewed. Sumitomo Bakelite announced the results of joint research with Tohoku University, while Resonac reported indications of substantial increases in sales and profit in the first half.
The global semiconductor manufacturing equipment market is expanding. According to SEMI statistics, the global market totaled $40.53 billion in April-June 2026, up 23% year on year and 11% from the previous quarter. However, the figure includes front-end equipment, so it cannot be directly equated with the rate of increase in demand for encapsulation materials or back-end processing. The 9 European policy recommendations regarding CHIPS Act 2.0 call for stronger competitiveness across design, materials, equipment, manufacturing and advanced packaging.
Sumitomo Bakelite announced on 18 August 2026 the results of joint research with Tohoku University on next-generation power modules. The initiative combines resin substrates, encapsulation materials, joining and heat dissipation technologies to reduce module size and improve reliability. The company plans to assess customer adoption, mass production and contribution to earnings in stages.
Resonac Holdings reported semiconductor and electronic materials segment sales of ¥298.962 billion in the first half of 2026, up 29.6% year on year, while core operating profit totaled ¥81.485 billion, representing growth of at least 11.8% year on year. While explaining the expansion in AI demand, primarily for back-end materials, the company also indicated that front-end materials and products for data centers contributed to performance, making it important to distinguish the profit contribution of each business area.
Using Sumitomo Bakelite as a reference point, this article compares 20 stocks covering not only encapsulation resins but also thinning, protection, inspection, substrates, joining and heat dissipation. The review focuses on actual performance indicators such as sales volume, orders, revenue recognition and profitability after capital investment.