SEMI recently completed its annual silicon shipment forecast for the semiconductor industry. This forecast provides an outlook for the demand in silicon units for the period 2015–2017. The results show polished and epitaxial silicon shipments totaling 10,042 million square inches in 2015; 10,179 million square inches in 2016; and 10,459 million square inches in 2017. Total wafer shipments this year are expected to exceed the market high set in 2014 and are forecast to continue shipping at record levels in 2016 and 2017.

"2015 has been a record-breaking year for silicon shipments, attributed primarily to larger diameter wafers," said Terry Tsao, president of SEMI Taiwan. "The outlook for the next two years is measured, but continues on a modest growth path.”

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.

All data cited in this release is inclusive of polished silicon wafers, including virgin test wafers and epitaxial silicon wafers shipped by the wafer manufacturers to the end-users. Data do not include non-polished or reclaimed wafers.