In its quarterly analysis report on the silicon wafer industry, the Silicon Wafer Manufacturers Association (SMG) of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SEMI) stated that global silicon wafer shipments increased by 2.2% year-on-year to 2.896 billion square inches (MSI) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.834 billion square inches (MSI) in the same period of 2024. The global silicon wafer shipment volume in the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 9.0% compared to the previous quarter, while the shipment volume in the fourth quarter of last year was 3.182 billion square inches (MSI), mainly affected by seasonal factors and the cumulative inventory level of the entire supply chain.
Li Chongwei, Chairman and Vice President and Chief Auditor of SEMI SMG, said, "In the first quarter of 2025, the shipment volume of 300mm silicon wafers increased by 6% year-on-year, but the wafer size of 200mm and below declined. Although the shipment volume of 300mm silicon wafers has increased, the demand for traditional equipment remains weak, and inventory adjustments have also led to a slowdown in shipment volume
It is reported that silicon wafers are the basic building material for most semiconductors, and semiconductors are an important component of all electronic devices. This highly engineered thin disc has a diameter of up to 300 millimeters and is the substrate material for most semiconductor manufacturing.
