October 8, 2004 – The leading suppliers of silicon wafers forecast year-end wafer shipments for 2004 to be 23% higher than 2003 shipments. According to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) Consensus Forecast, total wafer shipments will increase by about 5% in 2005.

The Consensus Forecast, obtained through surveying SMG members, provides a silicon wafer shipment outlook for 2004 through 2007. The survey forecast results show silicon shipments reaching 6313 million sq. in. in 2004, 6596 million sq. in. in 2005, 6784 million sq. in. in 2006, and 7201 million sq. in. in 2007.

“The silicon wafer capacity continued to be in balance with the demand through the first half of 2004 and we foresee continued moderate year-on-year growth that will result in cautious expansion and a tight supply scenario that should lead to an improved financial outlook for the silicon industry,” said John Kauffmann, VP marketing for MEMC and SMG chairman.

Kauffmann said that the SMG concurs with the statement in the July news release from the Japan Society of Newer Metals, which indicates that “the administrative circumstances of the silicon industry are becoming more severe [tight supply]” and “semiconductor manufacturers and silicon manufacturers should further strengthen ties of partnership and cooperate on technology, cost, etc. to settle the existing issues.”