September 15, 2023 /SemiMedia/ -- According to SEMI's latest report, weak chip demand and rising consumer and mobile device inventories will lead to a decline in fab equipment sales in 2023. Global fab equipment spending at front-end facilities is expected to decline 15% year-over-year to $84 billion in 2023 from a record $99.5 billion in 2022, before rebounding 15% year-over-year to $97 billion in 2024.
SEMI pointed out that a recovery in fab equipment spending next year will be driven in part by the end of semiconductor inventory adjustments in 2023 and stronger semiconductor demand in high-performance computing (HPC) and memory.
“The 2023 decline in equipment investment is proving shallower and the 2024 rebound stronger than expected earlier this year,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “The trend suggests the semiconductor industry is turning the corner on the downturn and on a path back to robust growth fueled by healthy chip demand.”
The foundry segment is expected to lead the semiconductor expansion in 2023 with US$49 billion in investments, 1% growth, and US$51.5 billion in spending in 2024, a 5% increase as investment continues in leading-edge and mature process nodes. Memory spending is forecast to stage a strong comeback in 2024 with a 65% increase to US$27 billion after a 46% decline in 2023. Specifically, DRAM investments are expected to decline 19% YoY to US$11 billion in 2023 but recover to US$15 billion, a 40% annual jump, in 2024. NAND spending is projected to mirror that trend, decreasing 67% to US$6 billion in 2023 but surging 113% to US$12.1 billion in 2024. MPU investments are expected to remain flat in 2023 and increase 16% to US$9 billion in 2024.
For more information on the report, please visit World Fab Forecast | SEMI.
