Summary
Since 2022, the global semiconductor industry has seen a notable slowdown in growth, entering a cycle of adjustment. This trend is largely attributed to reduced demand from the consumer electronics sector, leading to rising inventories at downstream chip makers dependent on silicon wafers. Consequently, the silicon wafer industry is also experiencing a period of inventory adjustment, marked by a decline in quarterly shipments. For 2023, an estimated YoY decrease of approximately 2-3% in silicon wafer shipment volume is anticipated.

Looking to the future, however, there are signs of a potential rebound. As inventory levels among downstream customers stabilize and production capacity utilization improves, the silicon wafer market is expected to recover. By 2026, the overall demand for silicon wafers is predicted to exceed 17 billion square inches. This growth is expected to be particularly pronounced in the 12” large-size silicon wafer category, fueled by emerging applications in AI, EV, and the IoT. Market demand for this segment is forecasted to surpass 11 million pieces per month by 2026, highlighting a significant resurgence in the sector.

Table of Contents
1. Weak End-User Demand Leads to Decline in Silicon Wafer Shipments

2. Inventory Adjustment Phase for Silicon Wafers, with Significant Rebound Potential for Large-Size Wafers

3. The Silicon Wafer Market Expected to Stabilize as Chinese Manufacturers Striving to Break Through

4. TRI’s View
  (1) Ongoing inventory adjustments to continue as silicon wafer demand set for a rebound
  (2) Stability in the large silicon wafer market, with Chinese manufacturers rapidly emerging

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