India, Feb. 17 -- In the second half of 2024, worldwide silicon wafer demand started to recover from the industry downcycle seen in 2023, the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reported in its year-end analysis of the silicon wafer industry. Worldwide silicon wafer shipments in 2024 decreased 2.7% to 12,266 million square inches, while wafer revenue contracted 6.5% to $11.5 billion over the same period.

In 2024, a broad-based inventory correction was slower due to the weak end demand from the higher volume segments impacting fab utilization rates and wafer shipments to specific applications. The recovery is expected to continue into 2025 with stronger improvements toward the second half of the year.

"Generative AI and new data-cente...