KUALA LUMPUR (April 15): Global sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment jumped 19% year-on-year to to a new all-time high of US$71.2 billion in 2020, from US$59.8 billion, according to the US-based Semiconductor Equipment & Materials International (SEMI).

In its Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics report released April 13, SEMI said that for the first time, China claimed the largest market for new semiconductor equipment with sales growth of 39% to US$18.72 billion.

Sales in Taiwan, the second-largest equipment market, remained flat in 2020 with sales of US$17.15 billion after showing strong growth in 2019.

South Korea registered 61% growth to US$16.08 billion to maintain the third position.  

SEMI said annual spending also increased 21% in Japan and 16% in Europe as both regions are recovering from the contraction in 2019.

Receipts in North America decreased 20% in 2020 following three years of consecutive growth.

SEMI said global sales of wafer processing equipment rose 19% in 2020, while other front-end segment sales grew 4%.

Assembly and packaging showed strong growth across all regions, resulting in a 34% market increase in 2020, while total test equipment sales increased 20%, it said.

Equipment categories cover wafer processing, assembly and packaging, test, and other front-end equipment including mask/reticle manufacturing, wafer manufacturing, and fab facilities.