2019 Wafer Demand Forecast Lower than 2018's Increase of 5.8%, Says Semico Research

2018 was a good year for the semiconductor industry as manufacturers began rolling out new products targeted at artificial intelligence applications requiring both the most advanced technologies for AI training functions as well as potentially high-volume manufacturing capabilities for edge devices. On the other side of the of the technology spectrum, mature processes for sensor and analog products-such as biometric sensors, RF and power management-continue to be in high demand aided by growth in Internet of Things (IoT) applications along with the aforementioned 'smart devices' that are beginning to build in algorithms that are the precursor to full-fledged AI functionality.  New research from Semico Research, Semico Wafer Demand Q4 2018 Highlights (MA113-18), reports that this activity has increased wafer demand by 5.8% in 2018.
 
"Looming over the growth in wafer demand is the continued tight supply of silicon wafers and capacity shortages for some products,", according to Joanne Itow, Managing Director Manufacturing Research. "Tight wafer supply is being seen for both 300mm as well as 200mm wafers. This situation is forcing manufacturers to be even more diligent at improving productivity and to be more efficient with both advanced and mature manufacturing processes."
 
Additional key findings include:

• Total DRAM revenues are expected to increase 40% in 2018.
• Consumer MOS Logic units have grown at a 43.4% CAGR over the past four years.
• Sensor revenues and units are expected to increase over 5% in 2018.
• In 2018, analog wafer demand is expected to grow 12.5% as units grow 13.5%.

Semico Research's report, Semico Wafer Demand Q4 2018 Highlights (MA113-18), includes an Excel spreadsheet which provides wafer demand by 18 product categories and 14 technology nodes over a 13-year time frame from 2010 to 2022. There is also a summary write-up which provides insight into the recent trends for key semiconductor product categories.

For pricing and additional information, please contact:
Rick Vogelei
Business Development
Phone: 602-997-0337
Email: rickv@semico.com
 
About Semico
Semico is a semiconductor marketing & consulting research company located in Phoenix, Arizona.  We offer custom consulting, portfolio packages, individual market research studies and premier industry conferences.