Semiconductor Materials Post Record Revenues for Fourth Straight Year

SAN JOSE, CA, Mar 31 (MARKET WIRE) --
The global semiconductor materials market grew 14 percent in 2007 and is
forecasted to grow over 11 percent in 2008 according to the latest materials
forecast from SEMI. While the semiconductor industry grew three percent in
2007 to reach the $256 billion published by the Semiconductor Industry
Association (SIA), the global semiconductor materials market grew 14 percent in
2007 to reach a record $42 billion.

Growth was seen in both the wafer fabrication materials and packaging
sectors with
increases of 17 percent or $25 billion and nine percent or $17 billion
respectively. Japan continues to dominate worldwide semiconductor materials
consumption
at 22 percent share due to its large wafer fab and packaging base. Taiwan has
held onto the number two spot in terms of consumption of semiconductor
materials for the past four years driven by strong growth in wafer foundries
and packaging subcontractors. The Rest of World region (ROW), which
aggregates Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, other areas of Southeast Asia and
smaller
global markets, claims the third largest materials market due to packaging
materials. The semiconductor materials market in China is growing at the fastest
rate
given the new capacity coming on-line from a previously small base.

"As the semiconductor companies continue to ship record amounts of units,
demand
for materials is increasing as well," said Dan Tracy, senior director of
Industry Research and Statistics at SEMI. "Heightened demand in addition to the
tight supply for various gases, silicon, and the widespread adoption of
advanced packaging technologies are resulting in very strong revenue growth
for semiconductor materials suppliers."

2006-2007 Semiconductor Materials Market by World Region

(Dollars in U.S. Millions; Percentage Year-over-Year)

Region 2006 2007 % Change
-----------------------------------------
China 2,384 3,266 37.0
Europe 3,394 3,630 6.9
Japan 8,610 9,307 8.1
South Korea 4,891 6,140 25.5
North America 5,131 5,480 6.8
Taiwan 6,746 7,859 16.5
Rest of World 6,192 6,712 8.4
Total Regions 37,349 42,393 13.5

* Totals may not add due to rounding

The Material Market Data Subscription (MMDS) from SEMI provides
currentrevenue data along with two years of historical data and a three-year
forecast. A
year subscription includes four quarterly updates for the material segments
reports revenue for seven market regions (North America, Europe, ROW, Japan,
Taiwan, South Korea, and China). The report also features detailed historical
data for: silicon shipments and revenues for photoresist, photoresist
ancillaries, process gases and leadframes. For more information or to
subscribe, please contact SEMI customer service at 1.877.746.7788 (toll free
in the U.S.) or 1.408.943.6901 (International Callers).

SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply
chains
for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries. SEMI member
companies are the engine of the future, enabling smarter, faster and more
economical products that improve our lives. Since 1970, SEMI has been
committed to helping members grow more profitably, create new markets and
meet common industry challenges. SEMI maintains offices in Austin,
Beijing,Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo,
andWashington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org.

ASSOCIATION CONTACTS:
Scott Smith
SEMI
Ph: 408.943.7957
E-mail: Email Contact

Dan Tracy
SEMI
Ph: 408.943.7987
E-mail: Email Contact

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