KUALA LUMPUR (May 5): Global silicon wafer area shipments in the first quarter of 2022 (1Q22) surpassed the previous record high set in 3Q21, rising 1% quarter-on-quarter to 3,679 million square inches.

In a statement on its website on Monday (May 2), the US-based Semiconductor Equipment & Materials International (SEMI) said the Silicon Manufacturers' Group (SMG) in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry reported that 1Q22 silicon wafer shipments saw a 10% growth from the 3,337 million square inches reported during the same quarter last year.

SEMI SMG chairman and chief commercial officer at Okmetic Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen said this new silicon shipping milestone points to continued growth in all areas of the semiconductor market.

“Silicon wafer supply remains tight and may stay constrained with many new announced semiconductor fab investments,” she said.

Data cited include polished silicon wafers such as virgin test and epitaxial silicon wafers, as well as non-polished silicon wafers shipped to end users.

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronics including computers, telecommunications products and consumer devices.

The highly engineered thin disks are produced in diameters of up to 12 inches and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductor devices, or chips, are fabricated.

Silicon area shipment trends – semiconductor applications only

Source: SEMI, May 2022