SEMI presents 'Global Fab Forecast Report'
14% higher than last year… Forecast of $103 billion
Taiwan, largest investor with $31 billion
Increase production by increasing factories and production l
This year, the total investment in all semiconductor process equipment is expected to reach an all-time high of $103 billion (124.8 trillion won). Taiwan's semiconductor equipment investment is expected to be the largest.
In its latest fab forecast report, the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Institute (SEMI) revealed that investment in the entire process equipment sector will increase by 14% this year, reaching $103 billion. It is the largest it has ever been. Investment is expected to grow for the third consecutive year,following a 42% growth last year.
By country, Taiwan is expected to become the largest semiconductor equipment investment country this year. SEMI projected $31 billion in spending, up 39% year-on-year. Korea is expected to reach $26 billion, an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. China is expected to reach $17.5 billion, down 30% from last year.
Equipment spending in Europe and the Middle East is expected to be $9.6 billion. Although the figure is lower than that of Korea, Taiwan, and China, it is still a 258% growth compared to last year. Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asia are also expected to record their largest investment ever this year.
Global semiconductor industry output is expected to grow 8% this year and 6% next year. Last year, production increased by 7%.
This year, 150 semiconductor factories and production lines will expand production. The investments in this is expected to account for 83% of the total equipment investment. Furthermore, 122 semiconductor factories and production lines are expected to expand production next year. Foundry accounts for half of the total semiconductor equipment investment. Memory equipment investment is expected to account for 35% of the total.
"Crossing the $100 billion mark in spending on global fab equipment for the first time is a historic milestone for the semiconductor industry," said Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI. "This significant achievement is a tribute to the relentless drive to add and upgrade capacity."
"Global fab equipment spending is forecast to have another healthy year in 2023 and is expected to remain above the $100 billion mark," said Sanjay Malhotra, vice president of Corporate Marketing and the Market Intelligence Team at SEMI. "We expect global semiconductor capacity to maintain steady growth this year and in 2023."
By staff eeporter Dong-joon Kwon (djkwon@etnews.com)