Global silicon wafer revenue stayed stable in 2020 as shipments edged up, says SEMI

Global silicon wafer revenue stayed stable in 2020 as shipments edged up, says SEMI

03 Feb 2021

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 3): Global silicon wafer area shipments in 2020 increased while revenue remained unchanged from 2019 at US$11.17 billion, according to the US-based Semiconductor Equipment & Materials International (SEMI).

In a statement on its website yesterday, the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reported in its year-end analysis of the silicon wafer industry, it said silicon shipments totalled 12.41 million square inches (MSI), compared to 11.81 MSI shipped in 2019, a rebound in volume of 5% year over year, recovering close to the historic high set in 2018.

SEMI SMG chairman and vice-president for product development and applications engineering at Shin Etsu Handotai America, Neil Weaver said 2020 silicon wafer shipment growth was driven by healthy 300mm demand and a strong second half of 2020 despite disruptions to the semiconductor industry caused by Covid-19.

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: The Edge Markets