GlobalWafers eyes 12-inch wafer expansion as AI demand rebounds, SiC customer shift in focus

May 27, 2025 — GlobalWafers expects stronger operational performance in 2025, supported by stabilizing customer inventory and rising demand from AI-related applications, chairperson Doris Hsu said at the company’s annual shareholder meeting.

The company is prioritizing expansion in 12-inch silicon wafer capacity, as AI server demand drives volume growth in advanced semiconductor materials. As the world’s fourth-largest 12-inch wafer supplier, GlobalWafers sees this move as a key step in its long-term growth strategy, especially following the failed acquisition of Siltronic in 2022.

Hsu noted that the company’s new U.S. fab, GlobalWafers America (GWA), has officially launched. Regarding speculation over a potential $4 billion follow-up investment, she clarified that no final decision has been made. Any future capital deployment will depend on three criteria: capacity utilization, profitability at the GWA site, and the presence of long-term agreements (LTAs) with U.S. customers.

In addition to its silicon wafer roadmap, GlobalWafers is closely monitoring developments in the silicon carbide (SiC) sector. Hsu commented on reports of potential financial strain at Wolfspeed, a leading SiC supplier, and said the company is prepared to attract customers looking to diversify their supply base. She emphasized GlobalWafers’ readiness to support SiC clients seeking stable, high-quality alternatives.