KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 2): Worldwide silicon wafer shipments decreased 19.5% year-on-year to 3,010 million square inches in the third quarter of 2023, according to US-based SEMI.

In a statement on Wednesday, the group said the figure represents a 9.6% drop quarter-on-quarter.

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronic devices.

The highly engineered thin disks are produced in diameters of up to 12 inches and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductors are fabricated.

Commenting on the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group's (SMG) report in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry, SEMI SMG and chief commercial officer at Okmetic Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen said the decline in global silicon shipments continued as a result of the ongoing broad-based inventory correction cycle.

“Silicon wafer shipments for the computing, communications, consumer and memory markets saw the most pronounced declines due to a softening in demand and continuing economic uncertainties, while the automotive and industrial sectors were resilient during this period,” she said.