Global silicon wafer shipments witnessed a significant uptick in the second quarter of 2025, according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG). The industry recorded a 9.6 percent year-over-year increase, reaching 3,327 million square inches (MSI), up from 3,035 MSI in the same quarter the previous year. Even more striking, the sequential quarter-over-quarter growth surged 14.9 percent, climbing from 2,896 MSI in the first quarter of 2025. These figures reveal burgeoning momentum in certain technology sectors, especially those outside of the historically dominant memory market.
Lee Chungwei, Chairman of SEMI SMG and Vice President and Chief Auditor at GlobalWafers, highlighted the rapidly growing demand for silicon wafers destined for Artificial Intelligence data-center chips, including those utilizing high-bandwidth memory (HBM). According to Chungwei, while this segment continues to demonstrate exceptional strength, factory utilization for other electronic devices remains subdued. Nevertheless, inventory trends appear to be stabilizing, which may foreshadow broader improvements within the industry.
Despite the current upward trend, industry leaders remain cautious. Chungwei noted that, although the trajectory of silicon shipments reflects positive industrial momentum, there is lingering uncertainty regarding the future impact of geopolitical tensions and ongoing supply chain disruptions. These unresolved variables leave some ambiguity regarding whether the recent growth will be sustained across all market segments moving forward.
