Wafer Demand to Grow Over 10% in 2015, says Semico Research

2015 is expected to be another good year for overall semiconductor revenues, units and wafer demand.  Semiconductor units will grow 9% while wafer demand is forecast to grow by over 10%.  The main reason for the increase in wafer demand is due to double-digit increases in DRAM, NAND, MOS Logic Communications, Other MOS Logic and Optoelectronics.  According to Semico Research's new Wafer Demand: April 2015 Data and Highlights report, this activity will result in an overall 10% growth rate in the market.

"This year, foundries are rolling out their first generation 14nm/16nm finFET processes," says Joanne Itow, Manager Manufacturing Research.  "The Semico Wafer Demand Model incorporates a lower initial yield rate which pushes up wafer demand in 2015.  But the majority of advanced technology 300mm wafers are consumed by memory products.  DRAM and NAND will account for over 31% of total wafers and over 70% of the wafers processed on 32nm and smaller technologies."

Key findings of the report include:

• The average selling price for DRAM increased 23.3% in 2014.
• Revenues for microprocessors in computing applications are expected to grow by 3.4% in 2015. 
• Communication MOS Logic wafer demand is expected to increase 22% in 2015. 
• CMOS image sensors and LEDs continue to experience growth in consumer and automotive applications.

Semico Research's recent report, Wafer Demand: April 2015 Data and Highlights, provides wafer demand data with an accompanying summary write-up of the forecast highlights and major changes. The database provides wafer demand by technology for the overall market as well as for the following product categories:

DRAM  

NAND

NOR

SRAM

Other Non-Volatile        

Microprocessors (MPU)               

Microcontrollers (MCU)               

DSP

Communication MOS Logic         

Computing MOS Logic   

Programmable Logic/Standard Cell/Gate Array

Analog

Discrete              

Optoelectronics

This report is part of Semico Research's Manufacturing Portfolio that includes, among others, the following reports:

MA107-14   FinFETs 2014:Shaking Up the Mobile And Foundry Markets

MP105-14   3D Printing: The Next Industrial Revolution

MA101-15   SOI Update 2015:  Finding New Applications 

For More information, contact Rick Vogelei.
Phone: (480) 435 - 8564
Email: rickv@semico.com

About Semico

Semico is a semiconductor marketing & consulting research company located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Semico was founded in 1994 by a group of semiconductor industry experts. We have improved the validity of semiconductor product forecasts via technology roadmaps in end-use markets.

Semico offers custom consulting, portfolio packages, individual market research studies and premier industry conferences.