Feb. 6, 2008 – Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments came in right around SEMI’s revised projections in 2007, squeaking back into positive growth territory by year’s end, according to the latest data from SEMI’s SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG).

Total area shipments rose 8.3% for all of 2007 to 8661 millions of sq. in. (MSI). Revenues maintained >20% Y-Y growth for a second consecutive year to $12.1B, though slightly slower growth than in 2006.

Robust demand and the ongoing ramp of 300mm chip manufacturing “led to an overall strong year for the silicon industry,” noted Kazuyo Heinink, chairwoman of SEMI SMG and VP of new product marketing for MEMC Electronic Materials. “We expect that these drivers will fundamentally remain in place for 2008.”

SEMI SMG’s projection of 8% growth in 2007 was a revision from initial forecasts of 9% growth. The industry started the year with 12% Y-Y growth in both 1Q and 2Q, and spiked to 4.8% Q-Q growth in 2Q07, but saw a -1.2% sequential decline in 3Q wafer shipments, and ultimately flat shipments through 4Q.

SEMI SMG also is projecting mid-single digits over the next couple of years, following a 20% surge in 2006.