Global silicon wafer shipments
Decline for 4 consecutive quarters due to economic recession
Trade disputes between the U.S. and China, and between Korea and Japan, also have an impact.


The Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) announced on the 14th that global silicon wafer shipments have shown a downward trend for four consecutive quarters. Global silicon wafer shipments in the third quarter of 2019 totaled 2.932 billion in ² (square inches), down 1.7% from 2.983 billion in ² in the second quarter. This represents a decrease of approximately 9.9% compared to 3.255 billion in ² in the same period of the previous year.

Neil Weaver, Chairman of the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) and Director of Product Development and Applications at Shin-Etsu Handotai America, said, “Silicon wafer shipments are at lower levels compared to last year due to regional trade conflicts and the global economic downturn.”

The data released by SEMI SMG includes virgin test wafers and epitaxial silicon wafers, as well as polished silicon wafers and non-polished silicon wafers.