Equipment spend up 148%; China's spend up 287%

Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment grew 148% in 2010 compared to 2009 to reach $39.54bn, says SEMI, the trade body for the sector, and semiconductor materials sales grew 25% to reach $43.55bn.

For 2011, SEMI reckons that new equipment revenues will grow 16% to reach $45.81bn and grow another 3 percent in 2012 to total $47.14 billion.

Materials sales are expected to grow 6% this year and 4% in 2012, resulting in a 2012 materials market worth $47.72bn.

Regionally, Taiwan topped the equipment purchases last year, spending $11.19bn up 157% on 2009.

Korea spent $8.3bn on equipment, the USA spent $5.76bn, China spent $3.63bn which was an increase of 287%.

The rest of the world, including Japan, spent a collective $4bn on equipment.

The global semiconductor materials market grew 25% in 2010 reaching a record level of $43.55bn.

Japan topped the materials spending because of its significant installed IC fabrication base and advanced packaging operations.

Taiwan’s spending grew at the fastest rate - 33%, followed by Korea at 31%.