company news about Chip Testing Demand Rises: Global ATE Market Expands Steadily, China Accelerates Local Substitution

Chip Testing Demand Rises: Global ATE Market Expands Steadily, China Accelerates Local Substitution

As advanced process nodes (7nm, 5nm and below), AI accelerators and 3D advanced packaging continue to evolve, chip complexity keeps rising — and semiconductor testing, the "last gate for yield assurance," is entering a phase of structural growth. The industry often cites the "10x rule": the later a defect is found across design, manufacturing, packaging & test, and system-level application, the roughly tenfold higher the cost to fix it. That makes testing and reliability verification an essential infrastructure investment for every chip maker.

Global market: steady expansion, AI-driven

According to Verified Market Reports, the global semiconductor automated test equipment (ATE) market was valued at approximately USD 14.19 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 25.8 billion by 2034, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.12% over 2026–2034. Key growth drivers include rising device complexity (multi-parameter testing for AI accelerators, 3D ICs, RF modules), stricter compliance standards such as automotive functional safety (ISO 26262), and the integration of AI and machine learning into test flows, which improves both yield and efficiency. Leading players including Advantest and Teradyne continue to invest in modular, scalable AI-enabled test platforms, while Asia-Pacific leads growth on the back of government incentives and expanding manufacturing capacity.