SEMI reported that worldwide silicon wafer shipments increased 5.8% to 12,973 million square inches in 2025, while wafer revenue declined 1.2% to $11.4 billion. The growth was driven by strong demand for advanced epitaxial wafers in logic and polished wafers for high-bandwidth memory, particularly from AI applications. This marks an inflection point for the wafer market after years of stagnation.

Ginji Yada, Chairman of SEMI SMG, noted that demand for 300 mm wafers remains robust in advanced applications, especially AI-driven logic and HBM, supported by sub-3 nm process adoption. The technology transitions are driving increased requirements for wafer quality and consistency. Data center and generative AI investments continue to underpin demand in leading-edge segments where performance and reliability are critical.

In contrast, the legacy semiconductor segment shows gradual signs of stabilization. Wafer and chip inventory levels in mature-node applications like automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics have begun normalizing after extended adjustments. While supply-demand conditions are improving sequentially, the pace of recovery remains moderate and sensitive to macroeconomic factors. The overall market outlook reflects a two-track trajectory: sustained demand and technical advancement in advanced nodes alongside cautious recovery in mature technology segments.