TECHCET — the electronic materials advisory firm providing semiconductor materials supply chain information — forecasts a steady improvement for the silicon wafers market, projecting an annual growth of ~7% in 2025, with stronger gains in 2026. While 300mm wafers will see the highest growth, fueled in part by increasing demand for advanced packaging, smaller diameters like 150mm are expected to decline as the legacy device segment of the market increasingly shifts toward 200mm. Overall, wafer shipments are expected to see a 5% CAGR through 2029, as inventory levels stabilize and demand picks up in the second half of the year, as indicated in TECHCET’s Critical Materials Report on Silicon Wafers.
In 2024, weaker drawdowns of inventories impacted new shipments, and the anticipated recovery failed to materialize, resulting in a ~4% YoY decline. This was compounded by a sequential revenue drop of ~7%, driven by sluggish demand and softer pricing.
Looking ahead, suppliers are likely to continue shifting their focus toward more profitable opportunities in advanced packaging and larger wafer sizes. At the same time, increased competition from China’s expanding domestic production is intensifying market pressures, driving companies to innovate and streamline operations to maintain their competitive edge.
For more details on Silicon Wafers, including market trends, forecasting, and profiles, go to: https://techcet.com/product/silicon-wafers/