Sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment increased 5% globally in 2022 to an all-time record of $107.6 billion, according to new data from industry association SEMI.
The sales smashed the previous record from 2021 of $102.6 billion.
China remained the largest semiconductor equipment market in 2022, despite a 5% slowdown in the pace of investments in the region year-over-year. This was the third consecutive year China was the leading semiconductor equipment buyer.
While China accounted for $28.3 billion in billings, Taiwan was the second largest destination for equipment spending with an increase of 8% to $26.8 billion. It was the fourth straight year of growth in equipment in Taiwan.
Other equipment spending regionally included:
- Korea growing 14% to $21.5 billion
- Europe surging 93% in 2022
- North America increased 38%
- Japan increased 7% in spending
“The record high for semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales in 2022 stems from the industry’s drive to add the fab capacity required to support long-term growth and innovations in key end markets including high-performance computing and automotive,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “Additionally, the results reflect investments and determination across regions to avoid future semiconductor supply chain constraints like those that surfaced during the pandemic.”
Wafer processing sales
Meanwhile, worldwide sales of wafer processing equipment rose 8% in 2022, according to SEMI.
Other front-end segment billings grew 11% while assembly and packaging equipment sales decreased 19% last year and total test equipment billings contracted 4% year-over-year.
The full research can be found in SEMI’s Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) report.
