Silicon wafer shipments in 2025 increased 5.8% to 12,973 million square inches (MSI) while wafer revenue slipped 1.2% to $11.4 billion over the same period, sayscthe SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG).

2025 marks an inflection year for wafer shipments, with silicon MSI resuming growth supported by strong demand for advanced epitaxial wafers in logic and polished wafers for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), driven by AI applications. Softness in wafer revenue is mostly attributed to the slow momentum in traditional semiconductor applications where the demand and pricing environment are yet to improve.

“The 2025–2026 wafer market is shaped by diverging trends across technology nodes,” said Ginji Yada from Sumco who is Chairman of SEMI SMG, “demand for 300mm wafers remains strong in advanced applications, particularly in AI-driven logic and high-bandwidth memory (HBM), supported by the ongoing adoption of sub-3nm processes. These technology transitions are driving increased requirements for wafer quality and consistency, reinforcing the need for advanced material solutions. Investments in data centers and generative AI continue to underpin demand in leading-edge segments, where performance and reliability are critical.

2025 wafer shipments up 5.8% but revenues fall 1.2%

“In contrast, the legacy semiconductor segment shows gradual signs of stabilization,” adds Yada, “wafer and chip inventory levels in mature-node applications—such as automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics—have begun to normalize after extended inventory adjustments. While supply-demand conditions are improving sequentially, the pace of recovery remains moderate, with demand recovery still sensitive to macroeconomic factors and end-market dynamics. As a result, the overall market outlook reflects a two-track trajectory: sustained demand and technical advancement in advanced nodes, alongside a cautious and incremental rebound for demand in mature technology segments.”

By: DocMemory
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