According to SEMI, global fab equipment spending for front-end facilities is expected to grow 18% year over year to an all-time high of $107 billion in 2022, the third consecutive year of growth after a 42% increase in 2021.
“Crossing the $100 billion mark in spending on global fab equipment for the first time is a historic milestone for the semiconductor industry,” said Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI. “This significant achievement is a tribute to the relentless drive to add and upgrade capacity to address a diverse range of markets and emerging applications, solidifying expectations for long-term industry growth to enable electronics for the digital world.”
“Global fab equipment spending is forecast to have another healthy year in 2023 and is expected to remain above the $100 billion mark,” said Sanjay Malhotra, vice president of Corporate Marketing and the Market Intelligence Team at SEMI. “We expect global semiconductor capacity to maintain steady growth this year and in 2023.”
SEMI pointed out that the global industry increasing capacity 8% this year after a 7% rise in 2021. Capacity growth is expected to continue increasing, rising 6% in 2023. The fab equipment industry last saw a YoY installed capacity growth rate of 8% in 2010, when it topped 16 million wafers per month (200mm equivalents) – nearly half of the 29 million wafers per month (200mm equivalents) projected for 2023.
Over 83% of equipment spending in 2022 will stem from capacity increases at 150 fabs and production lines, a proportion expected to edge down to 81% next year as 122 known fabs and lines add capacity.
As expected, the foundry sector, with a share of about 50%, will account for the bulk of equipment spending in 2022 and 2023, followed by memory at 35%. The two sectors also represent most of the capacity increases.
For more information on the report, visit https://www.semi.org/en/news-media-press/semi-press-releases.
