SAN JOSE, CA – Spending on worldwide fabs equipping is expected to show declines of about 17% in 2008, as more companies are forced to postpone fab projects because of global economic uncertainties, says SEMI.

In 2009, however, the group expects to see a rebound with double-digit growth of more than 12%.

Regions reflecting this trend most dramatically include Southeast Asia and Taiwan, who will likely experience declines of 40% and 33% respectively this year, but are expected to recover in 2009 with significant positive growth of more than 50% and 80% respectively, according to SEMI.

In the Americas, fab equipment spending is expected to decline during the next two years, while China and the Europe/Mideast are expected to see growth both years. Spending in Japan and South Korea is projected to remain slow, but should improve from negative double digits in 2008, to negative single digits in 2009.

The biggest three spenders this year for equipping fabs are Samsung, Flash Alliance and Intel, reports the association. Though most companies are investing in non-US fab opportunities, Samsung is making significant investment into its 300 mm megafabs in Austin, and Intel continues to invest in its Arizona and New Mexico fabs. In 2009, Rexchip, TSMC, UMC, Promos and Hynix are expected to join Samsung, Flash Alliance and Intel as key spenders on fab equipping.

In the regional construction of new fabs, only Southeast Asia and South Korea are expected to show positive growth in 2008. Southeast Asia should see greater than 160% growth in spending on fab construction projects, as a result of IM Flash’s plan for a new megafab in Singapore, says SEMI.

After capacity growth in 2007 of about 17%, global fab capacity is projected to slow slightly, but is expected to post growth in the high single to low double digits during the next two years. In addition, the overall capacity of volume fabs for 300 mm is expected to surpass 200 mm capacity by the third quarter. Looking forward, capacity for 200 mm volume fabs will remain at the same level, while capacity for 300 mm volume fabs is expected to grow consistently in the double digits with more than 2.5 times less fabs.