MILPITAS, CA – Global silicon wafer shipments are projected to rebound 5.4%, rising from 12,165 million square inches (MSI) in 2024 to 12,824 MSI, according to the latest forecast from SEMI. The association anticipates consistent growth through 2028, when shipments are expected to reach a record 15,485 MSI, propelled by surging demand across artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing markets.

SEMI attributes the rebound to robust orders for advanced epitaxial wafers used in leading-edge logic and polished wafers for high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Non-AI applications, which lagged during the recent semiconductor downturn, are beginning to show gradual recovery. The organization expects continued steady growth through 2028 as AI workloads expand from data centers to edge computing environments.

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