As per the report published by Kings Research, the global Non-Evaporable Getters (NEG) Pumps Market was valued at USD 76.4 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 107.2 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.43% from 2023 to 2030.

NEG pumps have played an important role in the field of materials science and are used to create coatings that can be applied to a wide variety of metals to create ultra-high vacuum chambers used in research laboratories. Their use is expected to expand as they have become more reliable, efficient, and accessible. Additionally, they are used in space simulation chambers to help design and test communication systems for extreme environments. The challenges related to NEG pumps are primarily attributable to their complex manufacturing, installation, and operation processes, as well as their comparatively high cost in comparison to other vacuum technologies. However, continuing research & development in this field aims to overcome these problems while also improving the performance and dependability of NEG pumps.

In the semiconductor industry, NEG pumps are used to maintain high vacuum chamber cleanliness. The pumps absorb residual gas molecules, which prevents contamination and improves the quality of the final product. The aerospace industry also relies on NEG pumps to maintain high vacuum levels in space simulation chambers by preventing particle collisions with tail gas molecules.

Key Insights

• Based on product, the electronics & semiconductor segment held the largest market share of 43.7% in 2022.
• Based on type, the 200-400 segment generated the highest revenue of USD 31.4 million in 2022
• On the basis of region, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share of 37.7% in 2022

Proliferating Demand for NEG Materials across Several End Use Industries Drives the Market Growth

NEG pumps are largely employed in ultra-high and extreme-high vacuum applications, the most common NEG materials are metals such as Zr, Ti, Nb, Ta, and V, or their alloys with one or more other elements added. The surface of the NEG material plays an important role in the absorption phenomenon of reactive gases. These pumps are primarily used in very high and ultra-high vacuum applications where their ability to maintain low pressure for long periods is very valuable. They are also used in particle accelerators to create and maintain a high vacuum environment, which is essential for accurate and reliable measurements of subatomic particles.

In addition to this, space simulation chambers, and NEG pumps create a low-pressure environment that simulates the conditions of outer space, which is important for testing space equipment and conducting space experiments. NEG pumps are used in thin film coating processes where a vacuum environment is required to coat high-quality thin films for various applications. NEG pumps can be used in X-ray lithography, which is used to produce semiconductor chips and other high-precision electronic components. In general, the use of NEG pumps is essential in many scientific and industrial applications where a high vacuum environment is essential. Although end-user applications for NEG pumps are ongoing research & development in this area are focused on improving the efficiency and reliability of NEG pumps and developing new applications and use cases.

Development of a Non-evaporable Getter Pump using a Three-dimensional Mesh Zirconium Porous Body Augments the Market Growth

The use of non-vapor getter (NEG) pumps has become more popular in the last decade due to their ability to maintain low pressures for long periods. A recent study used a three-dimensional mesh zirconia porous body to develop a new type of NEG pump. The porous body was first activated and then coated with a thin layer of Zr-V-Cr sintered material using a new process. The resulting coating showed a gradient pore structure with smaller pores on the surface and larger pores deeper in the network. The performance of the new pump was then evaluated in a hydrogen maser, a type of atomic clock that uses atomic hydrogen as the main frequency standard. The new pump was found to have a higher pumping rate of hydrogen molecules than conventional pumps, which could improve the stability and accuracy of hydrogen masers.

Overall, the development of the new NEG pump with a three-dimensional mesh zirconia porous body is a significant step forward in vacuum technology. The new pump showed improved pumping speeds and tolerances compared to traditional pumps, which could have important applications in, atomic clocks, high-energy physics experiments, and other very large vacuum areas which propels the market growth over the estimated timeframe.

Asia Pacific is the Most Dominating Region with a Market Value of USD 28.8 Million in 2022

The regional growth is driven by the emerging use of non-volatile getter (NEG) pumps to be used in ultra-high vacuums due to their high pumping speed for active residual gases. The NEG pellets are oriented vertically and radially around the heater to maximize the pumping area. The availability of a new NEG coating method using vacuum sublimation of titanium (Ti) followed by vacuum sublimation of palladium (Pd) fosters market growth.

North America is the Second Dominating Region with a Market Share of 30.4%

The increasing number of research & development activities which is being conducted by scientists and engineers from various countries and organizations. There are many companies and universities in North America that are actively involved in the research & development of NEG pumps in high-performance vacuum systems. The institutions and companies in North America include NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and SAES Group, which is a leading manufacturer of NEG pumps and other vacuum-related products. In recent years, several collaborative efforts have led to further improvements in the performance, reliability, and energy efficiency of vacuum systems, as well as the development of new applications and use cases, thereby uplifting market share.

Major Industry Players are Focusing on Product Innovations to Expand their Product Portfolio

The global non-evaporable getters (NEG) pumps market fragmented with key players such as Agilent Technologies Inc., Dutco Group of Companies, Edwards Vacuum, Hexo Industries (M) Sdn Bhd, Kurt J. Lesker Company, Leybold (Atlas Copco), Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH, Rooks Vac, SAES Getters S.p.A., SciTek. Companies employ a variety of strategic measures such as acquisitions, mergers, partnerships, product introductions, and collaborations to expand their business globally and enhance their competitive position.