South America Discrete Semiconductor Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type (Thyristors, Rectifiers, Power Transistors, Small Signal Transistors, Diodes, Others), By Industry Vertical (Consumer Electronics, Communication And Technology, Automotive, Manufacturing), And By Country - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The South American discrete semiconductor market was evaluated at US$371.317 million for the year 2020, growing at a CAGR of 3.96% to reach a market size of US$487.359 million by the year 2027.

A discrete semiconductor is a solitary semiconductor that performs a single electronic function. Discrete semiconductors include MOSFETs, thyristors, IGBTs, diodes, and rectifiers, among others. A power discrete semiconductor that converts alternating current, notably IGBTs and MOSFETS, is a common element of electric and electronic equipment. Power discrete is used in various power supply units for a variety of electronic applications, ranging from consumer electronics to electric charging stations, to drive discrete semiconductors.

Between 2020-2027, the growing requirement to control power across circuits and downsizing are driving the discrete semiconductor business. The automation and mining activities in the South American region are constantly increasing, necessitating the use of additional electrical components in machines. Furthermore, economic recovery owing to political stability in several of the region's main countries is one of the major factors driving the region's growing demand for discrete semiconductors. The market is being driven by factors such as rising demand for energy-efficient devices; the growing dominance of wireless and portable electronic products; rapid growth in the automotive industry; increased development of Al-based semiconductors; and rising demand for metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETS) and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTS), diodes; and thyristors in the electronics and automobile industries. Furthermore, there is a rapid increase in the application of IoT technology across all key industry verticals, which is a major driver for market growth.

However, the continuously rising prices are expected to stifle market expansion. It's because the leading manufacturers are having trouble obtaining the materials they need. Furthermore, tariff interruptions are disrupting component export and import, ultimately affecting the production cost of discrete devices. As a result, the market is focusing more on integrated circuits, which is slowing the market's growth. The market potential is also predicted to be hampered by the design complexity of IGBTS.

The transistor category, based on type, is in the best place to dominate the market in terms of CAGR. The increased use of bipolar transistors, IGBTS, and MOSFETS in automotive, consumer electronics, and other industries is to blame. Because of their greater switching frequency, IGBTSs are commonly used in high-voltage applications. As a result, the market is growing at a rapid pace. Furthermore, diodes have the biggest discrete semiconductor market share because of their high reverse resistance capabilities, which prevent electrons from flowing in reverse-biased mode across electronic circuits.

According to the industry vertical, the consumer electronics industry is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast year. Because games, wearables, and other devices, as well as portable electronics and smart home products, are in high demand across the globe. Due to increased demand for discrete semiconductors for regenerative braking and autonomous vehicle technology, the automotive market is expected to have the second-highest growth. Electronic components are critical for automobile security and must be able to withstand high voltages and extreme temperatures.

Due to rising disposable income levels and increased consumption of smartphones, portable devices, and other electronic devices in Brazil, Argentina, and other regions, South America is predicted to develop at a significant rate. In the South American region, automation and mining activities are on the rise, necessitating the use of additional electrical components in machinery. Furthermore, the economic recovery resulting from political stability in several of the region's main countries is one of the major drivers driving the region's growing demand for discrete semiconductors.

Recent Development

STMicroelectronics, a leading semiconductor company with customers across the spectrum of electronic applications, announced the December 2021 release of its third generation of STPOWER silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFETs1, furthering the state-of-the-art power devices for powertrains, electric vehicles, and other applications where energy efficiency, power density, and reliability are critical target criteria. Nexperia, a leading provider of critical semiconductors, unveiled the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of automotive-qualified discrete in space-saving, thermally efficient, AOI-compatible DFN packages in June 2020. Switching, Zener, Schottky, protection diodes, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), N- and P-channel MOSFETs, resistor-equipped transistors, and LED drivers are among the devices accessible under the AEC-Q101 standard.

In September 2020, Infineon Technologies AG released TRENCHSTOP IGBT7 technology, which is ideal for industrial motor drives, power factor correction, photovoltaic, and uninterruptible power supply applications.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a relatively negative impact on the South American economy and technological industry. During the pandemic, semiconductors enabled people to work, learn, treat illnesses, order items online, and keep connected via technology. While much of the world shut down, semiconductors kept the wheels of the global economy, healthcare, and civilization in general turning. According to the SIA (Semiconductor Industry Association) -State-of-the-Industry-Report 2021, the semiconductor industry also faced a lot of problems ahead. One of the most serious was the global semiconductor shortage. Unexpectedly high demand for semiconductors required for pandemic response, along with substantial changes in chip demand for other items such as cars, resulted in a global supply-demand imbalance. The scarcity began in 2020, owing to huge demand swings induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the virus spread around the world, some clients decreased output and chip orders. In early 2020, several countries and regions fell under lockdown, disrupting semiconductor supply severely.  

Market Segmentation:

• By Type
  • Thyristors
  • Rectifiers
  • Power Transistors
  • Small Signal Transistors
  • Diodes
  • Others
• By Industry vertical
  • Consumer Electronics
  • Communication And Technology
  • Automotive
  • Manufacturing
• By Country
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Others