New Tripoli, Pennsylvania–Nov. 1, 2000–Worldwide revenues for semiconductor processing equipment will rise 76.1% in 2000 and continue rising an additional 45.9% in 2001, according to “The Global Market for Equipment and Materials for IC Manufacturing,” a recent report by The Information Network, a market research company.

“The worldwide equipment market will increase from $25.4 billion in 1999 to $44.7 billion in 2000 to $65.2 billion in 2001,” says Dr. Robert N. Castellano, president of The Information Network. “Despite the current stock market volatility, every equipment company interviewed for this report is observing greater bookings and revenue as the semiconductor manufacturers are ramping for increased capacity and transitioning to 300mm wafers and technology. Thirteen new manufacturing fabs and 16 major expansions are slated for 2000, and 16 new fabs and 15 expansions in 2001. A total of 26 300mm fabs will be built over the next few years.”

The top 10 equipment manufacturers for 2000, according to the report, include Applied Materials; Tokyo Electron; ASM Lithography; Nikon; KLA-Tencor; Lam Research; Novellus; Canon; ASM International; and Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates.

The perceived slowdown in the cellular handset and computer marketplace will soften any downturn the equipment market may see, the report predicts, as semiconductor manufacturers spread out equipment purchases. In addition, the drop in the September book-to-bill, perceived as a negative indicator for the industry, is a seasonal adjustment. The book-to-bill has been the lowest in the month of September 4 out of the last 5 years, and will increase to above 1.3 by year-end, the report concludes.