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Worldwide silicon wafer shipments set new record

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Worldwide silicon wafer shipments reached a new record of 3,741 million square inches (MSI) in the third quarter of 2022, according to industry association SEMI.

This is an increase of 1 percent quarter-over-quarter and growth of 2.5 percent from the 3,649 MSI recorded during the same quarter last year, the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reports in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry.

Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen, chairman of SEMI SMG and chief commercial officer at Okmetic, says: “While the semiconductor industry has faced macroeconomic headwinds, the silicon industry continues to show quarter-over-quarter shipment increases. [Read more…] about Worldwide silicon wafer shipments set new record

Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment forecast to reach ‘all-time high’ of almost $100 billion in 2022

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Global fabrication equipment spending for front-end facilities is expected to increase approximately 9 percent year-over-year to a new “all-time high” of $99 billion in 2022, according to SEMI.

The industry association revealed its prediction in its latest quarterly World Fab Forecast report. The report also shows the global fab equipment industry increasing capacity this year and again in 2023.

Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO, says: “After achieving a record level in 2022, the global fab equipment market is projected to remain healthy next year driven by new fabs and upgrade activity.” [Read more…] about Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment forecast to reach ‘all-time high’ of almost $100 billion in 2022

Global semiconductor equipment sales grow 5 percent to $25 billion

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Global semiconductor equipment billings grew 5 percent year-over-year to $24.7 billion in the first quarter of 2022, according industry association SEMI.

The figures were revealed in SEMI’s Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics Report. Quarter-over-quarter billings in the seasonally soft first quarter declined 10 percent.

Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO, says: “Year-over-year first quarter equipment revenue growth is in sync with positive forecasts for 2022 as the semiconductor industry continues its robust increase of fab capacity. North America and Europe logged healthy quarter-over-quarter rises in equipment spending as they intensify efforts to bolster domestic chipmaking.” [Read more…] about Global semiconductor equipment sales grow 5 percent to $25 billion

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales surge 44 percent to record $103 billion

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Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment in 2021 surged 44 percent to an all-time record of $102.6 billion from $71.2 billion in 2020, SEMI, the industry association representing the global electronics product design and manufacturing supply chain, reported.

The data is now available in SEMI’s Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) Report.

China claimed the largest market for semiconductor equipment for the second time with sales expanding 58 percent to $29.6 billion to mark the fourth consecutive year of growth. [Read more…] about Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales surge 44 percent to record $103 billion

Spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment expected to reach record $107 billion in 2022

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Global fab equipment spending for front-end facilities is expected to jump 18 percent year-over-year to an all-time high of $107 billion in 2022, marking a third consecutive year of growth following a 42 percent surge in 2021, according to a report by industry association SEMI.

Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI, says: “Crossing the $100 billion mark in spending on global fab equipment for the first time is a historic ​milestone for the semiconductor industry.

“This ​significant achievement is a tribute to the relentless drive to add and upgrade capacity to address a diverse range of markets and emerging applications, solidifying expectations for long-term industry growth to enable electronics for the digital world.” [Read more…] about Spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment expected to reach record $107 billion in 2022

Worldwide silicon wafer shipments and revenue ‘set new records in 2021’

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Worldwide silicon wafer shipments and revenue “set new records in 2021”, according to a new report by semiconductor manufacturing industry association SEMI. 

SEMI says that worldwide silicon wafer area shipments in 2021 increased 14 percent while wafer revenue rose 13 percent compared to 2020, topping $12 billion, to reach new “all-time highs”.

The study was produced by the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group as part of its year-end analysis of the silicon wafer industry. [Read more…] about Worldwide silicon wafer shipments and revenue ‘set new records in 2021’

SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit to Spotlight Digital Transformation, Microelectronics Industry Innovation and Growth

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Global industry executives from all seven SEMI regions will gather online for the inaugural SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit, February 15-19, 2021, for keynotes on the power of technology to unite the world and insights on how the microelectronics industry can shape the digital future.

The virtual event will connect industry leaders and stakeholders across the entire electronics design and manufacturing value chain for the latest developments, trends and innovations in key areas of industry growth including smart mobility, smart medtech, and MEMS and sensors. Registration is open.

Semiconductors are revolutionizing the way people work and live by driving innovation across smart technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and quantum computing and industries such as transportation and healthcare. [Read more…] about SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit to Spotlight Digital Transformation, Microelectronics Industry Innovation and Growth

SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit announced

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Global industry executives from all seven SEMI regions will gather online for the inaugural SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit, February 15-19, 2021, for keynotes on the power of technology to unite the world and insights on how the microelectronics industry can shape the digital future.

The virtual event will connect industry leaders and stakeholders across the entire electronics design and manufacturing value chain for the latest developments, trends and innovations in key areas of industry growth including smart mobility, smart medtech, and MEMS and sensors. Registration is open. [Read more…] about SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit announced

New Chinese chipmaker’s progress could ease pain of US restrictions

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The progress made by a relatively new Chinese chipmaker, called ChangXin Memory Technologies, could help ease the pain caused by increasingly wide-ranging US restrictions against China’s tech companies.

US President Donald Trump has already effectively banned Huawei from doing business in the country, which has led to American companies to shun the Chinese telecommunications and smartphones giant. And in the latest move, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration has introduced new rules prohibiting non-US companies from selling any chips made using American technology to Huawei “without a special license”.

Huawei has found it difficult to source chips and other components for its equipment, for which, in turn, the company has found fewer buyers. [Read more…] about New Chinese chipmaker’s progress could ease pain of US restrictions

China’s biggest chipmaker to double investment in capital goods to $7 billion

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China’s largest chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International is to double its investment in capital goods to $6.7 billion, according to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website. 

The company is somewhat flush with cash as a result of net profit skyrocketing by 644 percent in the second quarter. Part of the increase is due to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei stockpiling chips.

Huawei is trying to prepare for any potential shortage in its supply chain caused by the ban imposed on its activities in the US and Europe. [Read more…] about China’s biggest chipmaker to double investment in capital goods to $7 billion