According to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers’ Group (SMG), worldwide silicon wafer area shipments declined 1 percent in 1Q08 compared to 4Q07. 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 the 2007 first quarter, 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.”

The first quarter of a given year is traditionally a weak quarter for wafer shipments.