Global Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Transaction Value Hits Record High Again in 3Q... Korea Ranks 3rd

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The global semiconductor manufacturing equipment transaction value reached $26.8 billion (approximately 31.6 trillion KRW) in the third quarter of this year, marking a record high for five consecutive quarters. Taiwan became the top buyer of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, while South Korea dropped to third place.

According to the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) on the 2nd, the global semiconductor manufacturing equipment transaction value in the third quarter of this year was $26.8 billion, a 38% increase compared to the same period last year. It also rose 8% compared to the previous quarter, breaking the record high for five consecutive quarters.

(Data from the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI))

Ajit Manocha, Chairman of SEMI, said, "Semiconductor demand is strong across various market sectors such as communication, computing, healthcare, online services, and automotive, fueling growth in the manufacturing equipment market," adding, "The semiconductor industry has shown remarkable resilience amid global crises such as supply shortages and the ongoing pandemic."

The country that purchased the most semiconductor manufacturing equipment was Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing equipment investment in the third quarter was $7.33 billion, a 48% increase from the previous quarter. Compared to $4.75 billion in the third quarter of last year, it increased by 54%. This accounts for 27% of the total semiconductor manufacturing equipment transaction value.

Taiwan ranked third in semiconductor manufacturing equipment purchases in the first quarter ($5.04 billion) and second quarter ($5.71 billion) this year, behind South Korea and China, but significantly increased its investment in the third quarter to take the top spot. It appears that local semiconductor companies, including Taiwan's TSMC, are expanding investments in line with the global semiconductor demand growth.

South Korea ranked third, following Taiwan and China. South Korea's semiconductor manufacturing equipment investment in the third quarter was $5.58 billion, a 32% increase compared to the same period last year but a 16% decrease from the previous quarter. South Korea, which invested over $7 billion in semiconductor manufacturing equipment in the first quarter and ranked first globally in investment scale, has slightly reduced its investment scale through the second quarter ($6.62 billion) and the third quarter. China's semiconductor manufacturing equipment investment in the third quarter, ranked second, was $7.27 billion, a 12% decrease from the previous quarter.

Semiconductor equipment investments in other regions such as North America, Japan, and Europe increased compared to the previous quarter. North America and Japan invested $2.29 billion and $2.11 billion respectively, up 36% and 19% from the previous quarter, while Europe also increased semiconductor manufacturing equipment investment by 50% year-on-year and 22% quarter-on-quarter to $870 million.