| Q2 2019 Silicon Wafer Shipments,
Decline of approximately 2.2% compared to the first quarter
Down approximately 5.6% from Q2 2018

SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) announced on the 24th that global silicon wafer shipments in the second quarter of 2019 fell 2.2% to 2.983 billion inch² from 3.051 billion inch² in the first quarter.

This is a 5.6% decrease compared to 3.16 billion inch² in the same period last year.

The data released by SEMI SMG covers virgin test wafers and epitaxial silicon wafers, as well as polished silicon wafers and non-polyIncludes a seed (non-polished) silicon wafer.

Neil Weaver, Chairman of SEMI’s Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) and Director of Product Development and Applications at Shin-Etsu Handotai America, said, “Headwinds are blowing in the global silicon wafer market, which has slowed the growth of shipments somewhat, but the long-term outlook remains positive.”

Meanwhile, SEMI SMG announced last February that silicon wafer area shipments in 2018 totaled 12.732 billion inch². This represents an 8% increase compared to 11.81 billion inch² in 2017.

Sales in 2018 recorded $11.38 billion, an increase of approximately 31% from $8.77 billion in 2017.

Sales in 2018 surpassed $10 billion for the first time since 2008.