Silicon wafer shipments edge higher in Q1

Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments increased 4% to 3,337 million square inches in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, according to new figures from the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG).

First-quarter 2021 silicon wafer shipments saw 14% growth from the 2,920 million square inches logged during the same quarter last year, and topped the previous historical high set back in the third quarter of 2018.

“Logic and foundry continue to drive strong demand for silicon wafers,” said Neil Weaver, chairman SEMI SMG and Vice President, Product Development and Applications Engineering at Shin Etsu Handotai America. “The memory market recovery further bolstered shipment growth in the first quarter of 2021.”

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors. Highly engineered these thin disks are produced in diameters of up to 12 inches and serve as the substrate material on which most Semiconductor devices, or chips, are fabricated.