'20 Global Silicon Wafer Sales, Similar to '19
Demand for 12-inch wafers expected to surge in the second half of the year


The Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) announced on the 2nd that global semiconductor silicon wafer sales in 2020 amounted to $11.17 billion, similar to 2019, but shipments increased by about 5% year-on-year to 12,407 in ² (square inches).

Neil Weaver, Chairman of the SEMI Silicon Manufacturing Group (SMG) and Director of Product Development and Applications at Shin-Etsu Handotai America, explained, “Demand for 12-inch wafers remained strong in the second half of 2020, leading to an increase in shipments.”

Silicon wafers are a core material for semiconductor manufacturing and are an essential component of all electronic products. Precision-machined silicon discs are used as semiconductor circuit board materials and are produced in various diameters ranging from 1 inch to 12 inches.

This announcement is based on the "Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipment Statistics" recently released by SEMI. The statistics include virgin test wafers, epitaxial silicon wafers, and polished silicon wafers. Non-polished wafers and recycled wafers are not included.