(February 15, 2006) San Jose, CA — Global silicon wafer area shipments increased 6% in 2005 when compared to 2004 area shipments, claims the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) in its year-end analysis of the silicon wafer industry. Revenues also grew 8% in 2005 compared to 2004.
Silicon wafer area shipments in 2005 totaled 6,645 million square inches (MSI), up from 6,262 MSI shipped in 2004. Revenues grew to $7.9 billion from $7.3 billion posted in 2004. Fourth-quarter silicon area shipments increased 4% from the prior quarter, and were 23% above the fourth-quarter 2004 shipments.
“2005 was a record year for wafer shipments and revenues, with strong growth observed throughout the second half of the year,” says Reijirou Mori, chairman SEMI SMG and executive advisor to SUMCO Co., Ltd. “Heading into 2006, wafer suppliers face many challenges between tight raw material supply, rising energy costs, and potential supply constraints; a situation heightened by the recent demand of 200-mm wafers exceeding current capacity.”