SEMI: Flash market to increase by a massive 40 percent
While DRAM equipment spending dropped by 35 percent in 2011 and 25 percent in 2012, SEMI says its data shows that DRAM fab equipment spending will increase by 17 percent in 2013 and at least 30 percent in 2014.
An increase of about 2 to 3 percent for installed capacity for DRAM in 2014 is small but remarkable, given that the industry has not added any new DRAM capacity for years, and actually cutback capacity between 2011 and 2013.
The sector with largest growth rate for fab equipment spending in 2014 is expected to be Flash with a 40 to 45 percent increase (YoY). Over the last few years, capacity additions for the Flash sector also stagnated though technology investments. SEMI's reports show detailed predictions for robust spending in DRAM and Flash by several large companies including Micron and Samsung.
Overall fab equipment spending for Flash alone is expected to hit a record of almost $8 billion in 2014. After Flash and DRAM, MPU is expected to show the next largest growth in 2014, with fab equipment spending growing by over 40 percent (YoY). Intel is now preparing for 14nm, kicking off an MPU surge for 2014.
Since the last fab database publication at the end May 2013, the SEMI worldwide dedicated analysis team has made 242 updates to 205 facilities (including Opto/LED fabs) in the database. The latest edition of the World Fab Forecast lists 1,147 facilities (including 247 Opto/LED facilities), with 66 facilities with various probabilities starting production this year and in the near future. SEMI added 14 new facilities and closed 8 facilities.
