Worldwide silicon wafer-area shipments rose 9% in 1Q from the previous quarter, and 29% from 1Q03, according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG), in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry.
Total silicon wafer-area shipments were 1514 million sq. in. (MSI) during the most recent quarter, up from the 1392 MSI shipped during the previous quarter. Shipments in all three sectors as well as in total have surpassed the record level set in 3Q00, noted John Kaufmann, chairman of SEMI SMG and VP of marketing for MEMC Electronic Materials Inc.
“Revenue growth still lags area growth despite 300mm sales becoming a more significant part of the silicon mix, although prices are starting to firm for smaller-diameter wafers,” he added.
The SMG acts as an independent group within SEMI, serving members involved in manufacturing polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon, or silicon wafers (not including reclaimed wafers).