Growth was seen in both the wafer fabrication materials and packaging sectors with increases of 17% ($25B) and 9% ($17B) respectively. Japan continues to dominate worldwide semiconductor materials consumption at 22% share due to its large wafer fab and packaging base. Taiwan has held onto the number
two spot in terms of consumption of semiconductor materials for the past four years driven by strong growth in wafer foundries and packaging subcontractors. The Rest of World region (ROW), which aggregates Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, other areas of Southeast Asia and smaller global markets, claims the third largest materials market due to packaging materials. The semiconductor materials market in China is growing at the fastest rate given the new capacity coming on-line from a previously small base.

By Fran