SEMI Reports 1.1% Increase in Global Semiconductor Sales in 2016

The Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) announced that the global semiconductor materials market grew 2.4% in 2016 compared to 2015. SEMI previously reported that global semiconductor sales increased 1.1% in 2016.

According to SEMI's Materials Market Data Report, the overall wafer materials sector recorded $24.7 billion, while the packaging materials sector recorded $19.6 billion. In 2015, wafer materials sales reached $24 billion, while packaging materials sales reached $19.3 billion. Wafer materials sales increased 3.1% year-over-year, while packaging materials sales increased 1.4%.

Taiwan, which has maintained its position as the largest consumer market for semiconductor materials for seven consecutive years thanks to its large foundries and advanced packaging capabilities, recorded US$9.8 billion in sales. Korea ranked second, and Japan third. China became the fourth largest consumer of semiconductor materials this year, up from fifth last year.


Looking at annual sales growth, the markets that showed strength were China, Taiwan, and Japan, in that order. Europe, Other Regions (referring to Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other Southeast Asian regions, as well as smaller other regions), and Korea experienced modest growth, while the North American market contracted, declining 1.4%.