Research and Markets: Silicon Wafers for Semiconductor Device Processing 2015, A Critical Materials Report

DUBLIN

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zjghfx/silicon_wafers) has announced the addition of the “Silicon Wafers for Semiconductor Device Processing 2015, A Critical Materials Report” report to their offering.

Silicon wafer purchases represent the highest operating expense for many device manufacturers and as a result are a constant target for price reduction. With the continued concentration of the semiconductor manufacturing base and continued cyclic nature of supply and demand, supply chain issues are anticipated to continue. Silicon Wafer Report looks at the full market and supply chain of the silicon wafer industry, from polysilicon through end usage volumes. Market shares and forecast are provided as well as supplier profiles. In addition, the influence of SOI on this market is also included.

Rancho Santa Fe, CA, June 15: The 2014 market for semiconductor silicon wafers totaled $7.6B on 10,089 MSI Si, up 1% from 2013 but still well below the 2012 level of $8.7B, according to a new report, Silicon Wafers for Semiconductor Device Processing 2015, a Group Critical Materials Report. The 2015 outlook is flat at $7.6B despite a 3% increase in MSI Si. Total wafer starts (200mm equivalent) are projected to increase by 50% over the next 5 years, but Si wafer revenues will not keep pace.

Although shipments of silicon by area recovered after 2009, prices have still not recover to 2008 levels. Silicon area shipments were relatively flat from 2010 through 2013 before rising 10% in 2014. Meanwhile, silicon revenue peaked in 2010-2011 before declining sharply in 2012 and 2013 to begin a 3 year flat stretch.

Silicon wafer pricing is expected to remain level through 2015 and 2016 if the current demand assumptions hold. SOI wafers enjoyed a price increase in 2014 due to a temporary supply-demand imbalance, but prices will stabilize through 2015 as new capacity comes online. The timeline for 450mm wafer pilot has been pushed out to 2019. While Intel remains bullish, TSMC and Samsung have not yet joined the 450mm investment track. As a result, only S.E.H. and SUMCO have invested in 450mm development to date.

The top 5 silicon wafer producers account for roughly 97% of bulk wafers sales. Shin Etsu Handotai (S.E.H.) and SUMCO account for over 60% of volume and revenue among the two of them at 32% and 29% respectively. There is no evidence to suggest that Chinese manufacturers are positioning themselves to capture greater market share. Soitec dominates the SOI wafer market with 60% share of 300mm SOI and 50% share of 200mm SOI. S.E.H. has a 30% share of each, with SunEdison capturing the remainder.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction

3. Silicon Market Landscape

4. Semiconductor Device Market Impact On Silicon Producers

5. Wafer Supplier Market Share

6. Pricing Trends

7. Wafer Consumption Trends

8. Wafer Making Capacity

9. 450Mm Wafers

10 Current Wafer Fabrication Technologies & Trends

11. Wafer Production Trends

12. Polysilicon Supply Chain

13. Silicon-On-Insulator

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zjghfx/silicon_wafers

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150624005546/en/

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