Silicon wafer shipments bounce back in H2-2009

SAN JOSE, USA: Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments decreased by 18 percent in 2009 when compared to 2008 area shipments, according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) in its year-end analysis of the silicon wafer industry. Revenues also declined by 41 percent in 2009 compared to 2008.

Silicon wafer area shipments in 2009 totaled 6,707 million square inches (MSI), down from the 8,137 million square inches shipped during 2008. Revenues fell to $6.7 billion from $11.4 billion posted in 2008. "This past year was clearly a difficult time for the industry” Takashi Yamada, chairman of SEMI SMG and General Manager SUMCO. ”We are encouraged by the increase in silicon shipments over the past three quarters.”Source: SEMI, USA

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 most semiconductor devices or "chips" are fabricated.

Source: SEMI, USA