MILPITAS, CA – Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments were up 6% year-over-year and 8% sequentially to 3,152 million sq. in., according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group.

"While the short-term outlook remains uncertain due to coronavirus and geopolitical challenges impacting the broader industry, global silicon wafer shipments accelerated in the second quarter,” said Neil Weaver, chairman SEMI SMG and vice president, Product Development and Applications Engineering, Shin Etsu Handotai America. “The strong first half of 2020 trended slightly higher than the first half of 2019.”

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for semiconductors, produced in various diameters – from 1" to 12" – and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductor devices are fabricated.

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