SEMI Global Update-Americas, January 2012: Examining Fab Spending/Capacity into 2012; Packaging Substrates; LED Fab Spending; OLED Ramp Up; Printed Electronics

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SEMI AMERICAS 

Industry Visionaries: Then and Now

Our industry has a rich legacy. Many of the early leaders who began the electronics revolution are rightly revered for their historical contributions to the Information Age. These pioneers -- Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, James Bagley, Morris Chang, Ken Levy, James Morgan, and Michael McNeilly -- are recognized today as industry giants whose names can be found in high-school history books, museum wings and university science buildings.

What about today's industry leaders?

I believe that the drivers of Moore's Law today will also be recognized by history. They are enabling revolutions in mobile communications, entertainment, computing health and medical advances, and more. They are driving the electronics revolution just as their predecessors did, by providing advances in equipment and materials that are still keeping pace with Gordon Moore's prediction nearly 50-years ago. ( more) 

Karen Savala
www.semi.org

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Fearless into a "Doomsday" Year: Examining Fab Spending and Capacity into 2012 and Beyond
By Christian Dieseldorff, SEMI Industry Research & Statistics
The Mayan "Long Count" calendar marks the end of a 5,126-year era. According to some interpretations of the ancient Mayan calendar, the world is going to end on December 21, 2012. The worldwide economy and, therefore, the semiconductor industry depend more upon consumer sentiment and confidence. Will a new "fear factor" affect 2012? 

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Substrates for Semiconductor Packaging: 2012 Market Outlook for Laminate/Leadframe Materials
By Jan Vardaman, TechSearch International, and Dan Tracy, SEMI
Combined, laminate substrates and leadframes will represent an estimated US$ 13.3 billion market in 2011 and is forecasted to reach $14 billion in 2012.

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LED Fab Equipment Spending to Decline 18% in 2012
Following a massive 36% increase in equipment spending in 2011 (up to US$ 2.42 billion), worldwide LED manufacturing equipment spending is projected to decline 18% in 2012 to $1.97 billion according to the latest SEMI Opto/LED FabWatch and Forecast. Worldwide LED manufacturing capacity is expected to reach two million wafers in 2012 (4" equivalent per month), a 27% increase over 2011.

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Strategies in Light Conference & Expo 2012
Learn about LED manufacturing, processes, roadmaps & solutions.
Feb. 7-9 in Santa Clara, CA
View the LED manufacturing track or register  here.

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Packaging Community Takes on New Challenges through Industry Collaboration
As the semiconductor industry responds to increasing demands for lower power, higher performance and reduced form factor, packaging technologies are increasingly important. This enhanced importance in the micro-electronics food chain is mirrored in a growth of the different segments of the packaging market.

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Printed Electronics Start to Show Up in Volume Hybrid Products
By Paula Doe, SEMI Emerging Markets
Despite its huge potential for making low-cost large-area lighting, solar panels, and displays, printed electronics has struggled to find commercial applications. So far, it's been hard to match the cost or performance of vacuum deposition on wafers or glass.

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Large Screen OLED TVs Debut at CES
Capital Spending Expected To Ramp to Meet Next Generation Display Technology
Large-size OLED displays from LG and Samsung are expected to debut at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, ushering in what some predict will be major transformation of the LCD display industry. Merrill Lynch estimates OLED displays will grow from US$ 4 billion in 2011 to $20B in 2015 and as high as $35B in 2017.

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Official Establishment of SEMI China Photovoltaic Standards Committee 
During the SEMI International Standards Committee (ISC) meeting held at PVJapan 2011, formation of the SEMI China Photovoltaic Standards Committee was officially approved by the ISC.