- Second quarter 2021 silicon wafer shipments grew 12 per cent from the 3,152 million square inches recorded during the same quarter last year
- Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors
Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments increased six per cent to 3,534 million square inches in the second quarter of 2021, surpassing the historical high set in the first quarter, the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reported in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry. Second quarter 2021 silicon wafer shipments grew 12 per cent from the 3,152 million square inches recorded during the same quarter last year.
Data cited in this release include polished silicon wafers such as virgin test and epitaxial silicon wafers, as well as non-polished silicon wafers shipped to end users.
Neil Weaver, chairman SEMI SMG and Vice President, Product Development and Applications Engineering at Shin Etsu Handotai America added, “Demand for silicon continues to see strong growth driven by multiple end-applications. The supply of silicon for both 300mm and 200mm applications is tightening as demand continues to outstrip supply.”
Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronics including computers, telecommunications products, and consumer devices. The highly engineered 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.
