February 15, 2011 – Wafer shipments worldwide rebounded strongly in 2010 with 40% growth vs. 2009, according to updated data from SEMI’s Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG).

Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments surged to 9370 million square inches (MSI) in 2010, reflecting the industry’s overall recovery, noted Volker Braetsch, chairman of SEMI SMG and Siltronic AG VP, in a statement. It’s the first year of positive growth since the prior record of 8661 MSI achieved in 2007. Braetsch suggested 2011 wafer demand would be solid as well, "although at a much more modest post-recovery rate."

While wafer shipments are at record levels, actual revenues from them have yet to climb back to peak. Revenues topped $9.7B in 2010, up a solid 44.8% from 2009 — but that’s well below the three years prior ($11.4B in 2008, $12.1B in 2007, $10.0B in 2006).