MILPITAS, CA ─ Global silicon wafer shipments are projected to increase 4.8% year-over-year in 2022 to a record high of nearly 14,700 millions of square inches (MSI), SEMI reported in its annual silicon shipment forecast for the semiconductor industry.
SEMI said growth is expected to temper in 2023 due to challenging macroeconomic conditions but is forecast to rebound in the years that follow on strong demand for semiconductors used in data center, automotive and industrial applications.
2022 Silicon* Shipment Forecast (MSI)
Actual | Forecast | |||||
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
MSI | 12,290 | 14,017 | 14,694 | 14,600 | 15,555 | 16,490 |
Annual Growth | 5.3% | 14.1% | 4.8% | -0.6% | 6.5% | 6.0% |
*Total Electronic Grade Silicon Disks – Excludes Non-Polished and Reclaimed Wafers
*Shipments are for semiconductor applications only and do not include solar applications
Source: SEMI (www.semi.org), November 2022
Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronic devices. The highly engineered thin disks are produced in diameters of up to 12in and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductor devices, or chips, are fabricated.
For more information, visit SEMI Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipment Statistics