Feb. 11, 2005 — Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments increased by 22 percent in 2004 when compared to 2003 area shipments according to the SEMI silicon manufacturers group in its year-end analysis of the silicon wafer industry. Revenues also grew by 26 percent in 2004 compared to 2003.

Silicon wafer area shipments in 2004 totaled 6,262 million square inches, up from the 5,149 million square inches shipped during 2003. Revenues grew to $7.3 billion from $5.8 billion posted in 2003. Fourth quarter silicon area shipments declined 9 percent from the prior quarter although they were 7 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2003.

“2004 was a very robust growth year for the silicon wafer suppliers as both units and revenue grew at over 20 percent,” said Makoto Tsukada, chairman of the silicon manufacturers group at SEMI, in a prepared statement.

“Even though 300 mm wafer shipments were over 15 percent of the total shipments by the fourth quarter and total wafer shipments surpassed the 2000 peak, total revenues in 2004 for silicon wafers were below the 2000 level. As a result, wafer manufacturers remain cautious investing in new production capacity.”