KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Worldwide silicon wafer shipments reached a new record of 3,741 million square inches (MSI) in the third quarter of 2022, increasing 1.0% quarter-on-quarter and growing 2.5% from the 3,649 MSI recorded during the same quarter last year, according to the US-based Semiconductor Equipment & Materials International’s (SEMI) SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG).

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.

The SMG is a sub-committee of the SEMI Electronic Materials Group (EMG) and is open to SEMI members involved in manufacturing polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon or silicon wafers (e.g. as cut, polished, epi).

The SMG facilitates collective efforts on issues related to the silicon industry including the development of market information and statistics about the silicon industry and the semiconductor market.

In a statement on Tuesday (Oct 25), SEMI SMG and chief commercial officer at Okmetic Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen said that while the semiconductor industry has faced macroeconomic headwinds, the silicon industry continues to show quarter-on-quarter shipment increases.

“As the role of silicon wafers is fundamental in the broader cyclical industry, we remain confident in long-term growth,” she said.

Silicon area shipment trends — semiconductor applications only