October 3, 2006 – Silicon wafer suppliers surveyed by SEMI are forecasting 18% growth in shipments this year, followed by a slowdown in 2007 and then more growth in the teens in 2008.

The survey of members of SEMI’s Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) shows silicon shipments reaching 7811 millions of sq. inches (MSI) in 2006, up from 6645 MSI in 2005, due to “unprecedented demand driven by the end market electronic applications,” said Tatsuhiko Shigematsu, chairman of the SMG and technology officer of SUMCO Corp., in a statement. Greatest growth is seen in 300mm wafers, which are expected to exceed 30% of total silicon volumes by the end of next year.

In 2007, silicon wafer shipments are seen slowing down to 5% growth (8199 MSI), before picking up again in 2008 with 14% growth (9370 MSI), and another slowdown in 2009 (4% growth, to 9764 MSI).

2006 Consensus forecast: Total electronic grade silicon slices (MSI)

……………………..Actual (growth)………………..Forecast (growth)
………………………………….2005……..2006…….2007……2008……2009
……..MSI……………………..6645……..7811…….8199……9370……9764
….Annual growth……………6%……….18%……..5%……..14%…….4%

Source: SEMI SMG