Date: 14/05/2010

SEMI: Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments up by 5 percent in 1st Q 2010

Here is another indicator on how good the growth of semiconductor industry, particularly the semiconductor fabs in 2010. Semiconductor equipment industry body SEMI has announced the total silicon wafer area shipments were 2,214 million square inches in 1st quarter of 2010, a 5 percent increase from the 2,109 million square inches shipped during the previous quarter. The new quarterly total area shipments are 136 percent greater than first quarter 2009 shipments and at the highest levels since the third quarter 2008.

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