August 12, 2005 – Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments increased 10% during 2Q05 when compared to 1Q05 area’s shipments, according to SEMI’s Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry.

Total silicon wafer area shipments were 1606 million sq. in. during the most recent quarter, up from the 1465 million sq. in shipped during the previous quarter. The new quarterly total area shipments are 1% below 2Q04 shipments.

“After reaching a cyclical low point in the first quarter, silicon shipments clearly recovered in the second quarter,” said Makoto Tsukada, chairman of SEMI SMG and GM of Shin-Etsu Handotai Co. Ltd. “Based on increasing demand, 300mm unit shipments remain strong, while 200mm wafer shipments are close to peak shipment levels.”

Quarterly Silicon Area Shipments (millions of sq. in.)
2Q05: Polished: 1207; Epitaxial: 345; Nonpolished: 54
1Q05: Polished: 1107; Epitaxial: 307; Nonpolished: 51
2Q04: Polished: 1198; Epitaxial: 360; Nonpolished: 61

All data cited in this release is inclusive of polished silicon wafers, including virgin test wafers, epitaxial silicon wafers, and nonpolished silicon wafers shipped by the wafer manufacturers to the end-users.

The Silicon Manufacturers Group acts as an independent special interest group within the SEMI structure and is open to SEMI members involved in manufacturing polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon or silicon wafers (e.g., as cut, polished, epi, etc.). The purpose of the group is to facilitate collective efforts on issues related to the silicon industry including the acquisition of market information and statistics about the silicon industry and the semiconductor market.