SAN JOSE – Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments grew more than 6% sequentially during the second quarter to 2.3 billion sq. inches, according to SEMI.

Compared to the second quarter of 2007, total area shipments increased nearly 5%.

"Following the slightly weaker first quarter and macro-economic concerns, silicon shipments grew more than 6% in Q2, which is in line with normal seasonality for the quarter, particularly with the start of a new fiscal year for most Japanese companies,” said Kazuyo Heinink, SEMI spokesperson. “This growth was mainly attributed to 300 mm.”