'Supercycle' Semiconductor Wafer Shipments Set Record High in Q2

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The shipment volume of silicon wafers, the raw material for semiconductors, has set a new all-time high record in just one quarter.

According to the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) on the 28th, the shipment area of silicon wafers in the second quarter of this year was 3.534 billion square inches, a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. This is also a 6% increase from the previous record of 3.337 billion square inches in the first quarter.

Neil Weaver, Chairman of the Silicon Manufacturing Group (SMG) within SEMI and Vice President of Product Development at Shin-Etsu Handotai America, explained, "Demand for silicon wafers continues to show strong growth across various sectors," adding, "As demand exceeds supply, the supply of 300mm and 200mm silicon wafers is tight."

Wafers are raw materials used to manufacture semiconductor integrated circuits. They are thin disc-shaped slices cut from silicon ingots, and through special processes, electronic circuits are etched onto the wafer. These are then cut individually to become semiconductor chips.