Wafer area shipments up 136% in Q1

While growth rates are moderate, current shipments are approaching pre-downturn levels, the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group reports.

Suzanne Deffree, Managing editor, news -- EDN, May 14, 2010

Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments increased in Q1, with the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reporting shipments at the highest level since Q3 2008.

According to data from SMG, Q1 recorded total silicon wafer area shipments at 2,214 million square inches. That represents a 5% sequential gain on Q4 2009's 2109 million square inches and 136% gain year over year on Q1 2009's 940 million square inches.

"This is the fourth consecutive quarter where silicon shipments have grown," said Takashi Yamada, chairman of SEMI SMG and general manager at SUMCO, in a statement. "While growth rates are moderate, current shipments are approaching pre-downturn levels."

The SMG acts as an independent special interest group within the SEMI structure and is open to SEMI members involved in manufacturing polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon, or silicon wafers.

The data is the latest in a string of good reports showing marked industry improvement in Q1 and forecasting significant gains for 2010 overall. ISuppli recently reported foundry revenue expected to grow by nearly 40% in 2010 and estimated semiconductor industry revenue will rise 30.6% for the year. The SIA this month reported that March's total semiconductor sales $23.1 billion set a record for the month and noted ramping production.  And IC Insights recently reported record IC shipments for Q1.