The global semiconductor materials market grew 10.6% in 2018, propelling semiconductor materials revenue to $51.9 billion to eclipse the previous high of $47.1 billion set in 2011, according to the SEMI Materials Market Data Subscription announced by SEMI, the industry association representing the global electronics product design and manufacturing supply chain.
 
The standing record for semiconductor materials revenue fell as the chip market’s record revenue of $412.2 billion in 2017 also gave way to an all-time high – $468.8 billion – last year, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS).
 
Wafer fabrication materials and packaging materials revenues totaled $32.2 billion and $19.7 billion, respectively, in 2018, for year-over-year increases of 15.9% and 3% for the two segments.
 
For the ninth consecutive year, Taiwan, at $11.4 billion, was the largest consumer of semiconductor materials on the strength of its large foundry and advanced packaging base. Korea rose in the rankings to claim the second spot while China fell to third last year. The materials markets in South Korea, Europe, Taiwan, and China saw the strongest revenue growth, while the North American, Rest of World (ROW) and Japanese markets experienced single-digit growth. (The ROW region is defined as Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, other areas of Southeast Asia and smaller global markets).