KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): Global semiconductor photomask sales set a new high of US$4.04 billion in 2018 and is forecast to extend its record-setting streak through 2020 with forecast sales of $4.2 billion, according to the US-based Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI).

In a statement on its website April 15, SEMI in its 2018 Photomask Characterization Summary said the photomask market is expected to grow 3% in both 2019 and 2020, with advanced technology feature sizes (less than 45nm) and Asia-Pacific manufacturing growth remaining key drivers.

It said that for the eighth consecutive year, Taiwan was the largest photomask regional market and is expected to retain its hold on the top spot for the duration of the forecast, through 2020.

SEMI said South Korea held onto the second spot for the second year in a row.

It said the US$4.04 billion in photomask revenues in 2018 accounted for 13% of the total wafer fabrication materials market, behind silicon and semiconductor gases, shrinking in proportion from 18% of the total share in 2003.

SEMI said while captive photomask shops have become increasingly important to the total photomask market, captive suppliers lost 1% market share, dropping to 64% share in 2018 from 65 percent in 2017.

It said in 2013, captive mask shops represented 31% of the photomask market.