SAN JOSE, USA: Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments remained essentially stable in Q1 2008, marginally declining 1 percent when compared to Q4 2007 area shipments, according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry.

The total silicon wafer area shipments were 2,163 million square inches in the first quarter, compared to 2,185 million square inches shipped during the fourth quarter. Compared to Q1 2007, total area shipments increased by 3 percent.

"Consistent with the conservative industry sentiment, overall silicon shipments declined slightly during the most recent quarter,” said Kazuyo Heinink, chairwoman of SEMI SMG and vice president, New Product Marketing for MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. ”However, 300mm wafer shipments continued to grow.”

Quarterly Silicon Area Shipment Trends

                         Million of Square Inches
                    Q1 2007  Q4 2007  Q1 2008
Total                2,100      2,185      2,163
*Shipments are for semiconductor applications only and do not include solar applications

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for semiconductors, which in turn, are vital components of virtually all electronics goods, including computers, telecommunications products, and consumer electronics. The highly engineered thin round disks are produced in various diameters (from one inch to 12 inches) and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductor devices or "chips" are fabricated.