SEMI: Flat growth seen in Q1 wafer shipments

Global silicon wafer area shipments remained stable in Q1, marginally declining 1 percent compared to Q4 07 area shipments, according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry.

Total silicon wafer area shipments hit 2,163 million inch? in Q1 08, up from 2,185 million inch? shipped in Q4. Total area shipments increased by 3 percent y-on-y.

"Consistent with the conservative industry sentiment, overall silicon shipments declined slightly during the most recent quarter," said Kazuyo Heinink, chairwoman of SEMI SMG and vice president, new product marketing for MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. "However, 300mm wafer shipments continued to grow."

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for semiconductors, which in turn, are vital components of virtually all electronics goods, including PCs, telecommunications products and consumer electronics. The highly engineered thin round disks are produced in various diameters (from 1-inch to 12-inches) and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductors are fabricated.

According to SMG, the total shipments mentioned in the report are for semiconductor applications only and do not include solar applications.