Online information source for semiconductor professionals
Shin-Etsu takes business environment a month at a time
Popular articles
â??Velocityâ?? the new buzzword in Intelâ??s PQS annual awards - 12 April 2012
Oberai discusses Magma’s move into solar PV yield management space - 29 August 2008
New Product: Applied Materials new EUV reticle etch system provides nanometer-level accuracy - 19 September 2011
Applied Materials adds Jim Rogers to Board of Directors - 29 April 2008
TSMC honors suppliers at annual Supply Chain Management Forum - 03 December 2008
Shin-Etsu Chemical saw revenue decline 13% in 2008, despite peak polysilicon prices. Revenue of approximately US$1.6 billion was generated, compared to approximately US$1.4 billion in FY2007. However, despite long-term contracts for wafers, the rapid fall in wafer demand from the semiconductor industry has forced the material supplier to not provide quarterly guidance, with executives noting that operations would be judged on a month-to-month basis.
"Demand for 300mm wafers is rising little by little in March and April, and shipments are also starting to come back," Shin-Etsu Director Nakamura told Reuters. "But I don't think 200mm wafer demand will ever return to what it once was."
Semiconductor manufacturers, especially NAND and DRAM producers, have been closing uncompetitive 200mm fabs since 3Q08, in an effort to reduce overcapacity.