Silicon wafer shipments to increase 23 percent in 2010

SAN JOSE, USA: Silicon wafer shipments to the global semiconductor industry will increase 23 percent in 2010 compared to total shipments in 2009, according to the annual silicon wafer shipment forecast announced today by SEMI.

The global industry association's forecast includes the outlook for the period 2009-2011 and expects shipments to decline approximately 20 percent in 2009 to 6,331 million square inches (MSI), followed by subsequent annual increases of 23 percent in 2010 and 10 percent in 2011.

"Sales of silicon wafers for the manufacturing of semiconductor devices will rebound from the low point this year," said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "Within the next two years, silicon shipments will exceed the levels seen before the recent global financial crisis and semiconductor industry downturn. Shipments are forecasted to reach new record annual levels by 2011."

2009 Silicon Forecast
Total Electronic Grade Silicon Slices – Does not Include Non-Polished Slices
(Millions of Square Inches)Source: SEMI, October 2009

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for semiconductors, which in turn, are vital components of virtually all electronics goods, including computers, telecommunications products, and consumer electronics.

The highly engineered thin round disks are produced in various diameters (from one inch to 12 inches) and serve as the substrate material on which more than 95 percent of today’s semiconductor devices or "chips" are fabricated.