2020 Total Wafer Demand Expected to Reach 106.3 million 300mm Wafer Equivalents, says Semico Research

The unanticipated COVID-19 pandemic is playing havoc with both the world economic scene as well as the semiconductor industry outlook. In January 2020, as Wuhan, China and other surrounding areas shut down, there was speculation that the world would experience an interruption in the supply chain. Today it is clear that the U.S. and world GDP have been affected, and most forecasters adjusted their numbers down. On the other hand, the semiconductor industry is experiencing some positive results by responding quickly to the warning signs from China and the shelter-at-home directive. A new report from Semico Research, Semico Wafer Demand Q2 2020 Highlights (MA111-20), states that total wafer demand in 2020 is expected reach 106.3 million 300mm wafer equivalents.
 
"Semiconductors used in sensing and monitoring medical situations are expected to remain in high demand through 2020 and new wearable products are already being introduced," says Joanne Itow, Manager of Semico's Manufacturing Research.  "Although PC sales were down in Q1 2020, orders spiked. Suppliers such as Dell and HP were not able to fulfill all orders and started Q2 2020 with a backlog. As the supply chain fills the pipeline, PC sales are expected to increase for the year. Although some prognosticators believe the rollout of 5G will be delayed, Semico believes the demands of work-at-home, video meetings, tele-medicine, home school and consumer streaming reinforce the belief that "if you build it, they will come." This is encouraging telecommunications companies to continue rolling out 5G this year."
 
Additional key findings include:

• The DRAM market stands out as a growth market in 2020, units are expected to grow over 7.5% and wafer demand will grow over 5%.
• Microprocessors and sensors are two other product categories which are on track to grow more than 4.5% in 2020.
• Total wafer demand is expected to reach 6.3% CAGR over the next five year.

Semico Research's report, Semico Wafer Demand Q22020 Highlights (MA111-20), 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.