ISuppli:2010 global semiconductor wafer market demand surge

According to market research firm iSuppli latest data show that in 2010, due to 300mm (12 inches) shipments of epitaxial films increased, therefore, the global market demand for silicon strong rebound in semiconductor manufacturing.

ISuppli pointed out that in 2010, 300mm epitaxial wafer demand will increase to 4 billion 500 million, compared with 2009, an increase of 27.2%, the fastest growing segment of the market. On the contrary, in 2010, 150mm (6 inches) epitaxial wafer demand will grow by only, 200mm (8 inches) epitaxial wafer demand will grow by 7%.

ISuppli predicts that in 2013, 300mm epitaxial film production will grow from 3 billion 600 million square inches in 2008 to $6 billion 100 million square inches, a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%. In contrast, in 2013, 200mm epitaxial film will decline from 3 billion square inches in 2008 to $2 billion 700 million square inches, a compound annual growth rate of minus 2%.

Following the recession in 2001, the semiconductor industry began to emerge three major technical changes: lithography to a smaller size of 0.13 micron transformation, the use of new metallization scheme, the transition to the 300mm epitaxial wafer. At that time, as manufacturers turned to the most cost-effective 200mm and 300mm epitaxial wafers, apparently, 6 inch epitaxial wafers are no longer concerned.

ISuppli said that after the recession in 2009, the semiconductor industry using 300mm epitaxial film trend is very clear, 50% of manufacturers are turning to the larger size of the epitaxial film. As 150mm epitaxial films fell out of favour after the 2001 recession, iSuppli predicted that the 200mm epitaxial wafer would fade out after the recession of 2009.

ISuppli:2008 to 2012, the global market demand for different sizes of semiconductor wafers