Silicon wafer shipments Up 2% YoY in 1Q 2025

Source：SEMI Release Date：2025-05-05 28

Semiconductor / Electronic ChipSemiconductor Packaging EquipmentSemiconductor Process Materials/Gases/Chemicals Electronic chip manufacturing

Global silicon wafer shipments increased by 2.2% to 2,896 MSI from the 2,834 MSI recorded in the same period last year, according to SEMI.

Worldwide silicon wafer shipments increased by 2.2% year-on-year (YoY) to 2,896 million square inches (MSI) from the 2,834 MSI recorded during the same quarter of 2024, according to SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group’s (SMG) quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry.

Sequentially, shipments contracted by 9% quarter-over-quarter from the 3,182 MSI recorded during the fourth quarter of last year impacted, primarily, by seasonality and accumulated inventory levels throughout the supply chain.

“1Q 2025 silicon shipments indicated a 6% YoY growth in 300mm but showed a decline in 200mm and below wafer sizes,” said Lee Chungwei, Chairman of SEMI SMG and Vice President and Chief Auditor at GlobalWafers. “Despite an incremental increase in 300mm wafer shipments, demand for legacy devices remains weak, with inventory adjustments also contributing to a slowdown in shipments.”

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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 300mm 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.