Core Viewpoint - The HDD glass substrate industry is facing challenges due to the rapid growth of SSDs, leading to a shrinking market for HDD glass substrates, which is projected to decline from $8.87 billion in 2024 to $5.53 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.70% from 2025 to 2031 [13]. Industry Status - The production of HDD glass substrates is highly concentrated, with Hoya being the sole manufacturer, operating three production bases in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos) [2]. - The HDD industry is mature but is experiencing a decline in demand due to competition from SSDs, particularly in consumer applications like laptops, while still maintaining strong demand in data centers and enterprise storage [3]. Technological Advancements - Continuous improvements in glass substrate manufacturing technology, especially in surface treatment and smoothness, are enabling higher density storage solutions [4]. - New technologies such as MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) and HAMR (Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording) are being developed to support advanced storage media and heads [4][5]. Market Trends - The demand for higher density storage is driving the development of glass substrates, particularly with the support of HAMR and MAMR (Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording) technologies [5]. - The HDD market is expected to maintain stable demand in the medium to long term, especially in cloud services and data centers that require large-capacity, low-cost storage solutions [8][19]. Competitive Landscape - The rise of SSDs is intensifying competition, prompting HDD manufacturers to innovate with new technologies and materials to enhance market competitiveness [6]. - The production process for HDDs is moving towards greater automation and intelligence, utilizing AI and big data analytics to optimize production efficiency and yield [7]. Application Segmentation - Data centers are the primary application for HDD glass substrates, projected to account for 60.30% of global market revenue in 2024 [19]. - While HDDs remain relevant in enterprise storage, they are gradually being replaced by SSDs in consumer electronics due to advantages in speed, shock resistance, and power efficiency [9].