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AI-driven Demand and Signs of Broad-based Recovery Boost Global Silicon Wafer Shipments, Despite Mixed Market Conditions
MILPITAS, Calif., April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reported today, in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry, that worldwide silicon wafer shipments increased 13.1% year-on-year to 3,275 million square inches (MSI) from the 2,896 MSI recorded during the same quarter of 2025. Sequentially, shipments declined 4.7% quarter-over-quarter from the 3,437 MSI recorded during the fourth quarter of 2025 in line with typical seasonality.
"Silicon wafer demand related to AI data centers continues to be strong, including advanced logic and memory, and also now extending to power management devices," said Ginji Yada, Chairman of SEMI SMG and Managing Executive Officer, General Manager, Sales and Marketing Division at SUMCO Corporation. "Overall, silicon wafer demand has improved, but the recovery is not uniform. Many device companies have noted improvements in the industrial semiconductor segment, and this is creating a more broad-based recovery as wafer inventory is absorbed. Weaker smartphone and PC shipments in the first quarter of this year may show the impact of tighter supply of memory due to AI high bandwidth memory (HBM) allocation decisions."
Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronic devices. The highly engineered thin disks are produced in diameters of up to 300 mm and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductors are fabricated.
The SMG is a sub-committee of the SEMI Electronic Materials Group (EMG) and is open to SEMI members involved in manufacturing polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon or silicon wafers (e.g., as cut, polished, epitaxial). The SMG facilitates collective efforts on issues related to the silicon industry, including the development of statistics about the silicon industry.
For more information, visit SEMI Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipment Statistics.
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About SEMI
SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members' business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.
Association Contacts
Sherrie Gutierrez/SEMI
Phone: 1-831-889-3800
Email: sgutierrez@semi.org
Stephanie Quinn/Bodewell Group (Media Inquiries)
Phone: 1-480-316-8370
Email: squinn@bodewellgroup.com
AI-driven Demand and Signs of Broad-based Recovery Boost Global Silicon Wafer Shipments, Despite Mixed Market Conditions
MILPITAS, Calif., April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reported today, in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry, that worldwide silicon wafer shipments increased 13.1% year-on-year to 3,275 million square inches (MSI) from the 2,896 MSI recorded during the same quarter of 2025. Sequentially, shipments declined 4.7% quarter-over-quarter from the 3,437 MSI recorded during the fourth quarter of 2025 in line with typical seasonality.
"Silicon wafer demand related to AI data centers continues to be strong, including advanced logic and memory, and also now extending to power management devices," said Ginji Yada, Chairman of SEMI SMG and Managing Executive Officer, General Manager, Sales and Marketing Division at SUMCO Corporation. "Overall, silicon wafer demand has improved, but the recovery is not uniform. Many device companies have noted improvements in the industrial semiconductor segment, and this is creating a more broad-based recovery as wafer inventory is absorbed. Weaker smartphone and PC shipments in the first quarter of this year may show the impact of tighter supply of memory due to AI high bandwidth memory (HBM) allocation decisions."
Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronic devices. The highly engineered thin disks are produced in diameters of up to 300 mm and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductors are fabricated.
The SMG is a sub-committee of the SEMI Electronic Materials Group (EMG) and is open to SEMI members involved in manufacturing polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon or silicon wafers (e.g., as cut, polished, epitaxial). The SMG facilitates collective efforts on issues related to the silicon industry, including the development of statistics about the silicon industry.
For more information, visit SEMI Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipment Statistics.
Follow SEMI Market Intelligence
Follow SEMI
About SEMI
SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members' business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.
Association Contacts
Sherrie Gutierrez/SEMI
Phone: 1-831-889-3800
Email: sgutierrez@semi.org
Stephanie Quinn/Bodewell Group (Media Inquiries)
Phone: 1-480-316-8370
Email: squinn@bodewellgroup.com
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
SEMI Reports Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipments Increase 13% Year-on-Year in Q1 2026
SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KaiTu Technology (MightyCargo) made its North American debut at the inaugural Embodied AI Innovation Summit in Santa Clara, marking a new phase in the company's strategy to upgrade global industrial mobile equipment driven by embodied AI and new energy.
Under the theme "Code the Future Together", the summit convened global innovators in artificial intelligence and robotics. A Vice President of KaiTu Technology delivered a keynote address, analyzing the trillion-dollar market trends for forklift mobile equipment and AMRs. He shared the company's strategic focus on intelligent driving electric forklifts and heavy-duty AMRs, as well as its technology roadmap and global expansion plan to define next-generation industrial mobile equipment with AI.
As a featured exhibitor, KaiTu demonstrated its core strengths including intelligent driving electric forklifts, heavy-duty AMRs and robotic swarm collaboration solutions. Covering efficient warehouse operations, extreme heavy-load testing and unmanned handling in complex environments, the company presented smart, green and efficient full-scenario material handling solutions, reshaping global perceptions of China's intelligent industrial equipment.
KaiTu Technology is a global developer and manufacturer of industrial mobile robots. It is committed to reshaping global industrial mobile equipment with embodied AI and building a full-stack technology ecosystem from single-machine intelligence to swarm collaboration. Headquartered in Suzhou, the company brings together senior experts in robotics, AI, electrical control and mechanical structure, with large-scale production and global delivery capabilities. Upholding the philosophy "Forging New Paths, Leading the Intelligent Future", KaiTu is dedicated to advancing Chinese smart manufacturing onto the world stage.
During its Silicon Valley debut, KaiTu engaged with leading North American logistics enterprises, investment institutions and research institutes, receiving strong interest and positive feedback, laying a solid foundation for in-depth expansion in North America. The company stated that it will take this debut as a starting point to continue driving the transformation of global industrial mobile equipment with embodied AI, showcase Chinese smart manufacturing globally, and provide customers with more reliable, efficient and intelligent material handling solutions to boost industrial automation, intelligence and green development.
Official Website: https://www.mightycargo.tech/
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
KaiTu Technology: Reshaping Global Industrial Mobile Equipment with Embodied AI, North American Debut Launches New Global Journey
