Japan Si Single Crystal Shipment to Increase by 5% for 2012

Japan Society of Newer Metals’ silicon group announced Japanese shipment of high purity silicon single crystal would increase by 5% to 8,870 tonnes for 2012 from 2011. The group sees the demand would increase to meet semiconductor market growth due to higher demand for smartphone and tablet personal computer. The silicon demand will increase mainly for wafer with 300 millimeters diameter.

The group sees the silicon single crystal shipment would increase by 6% to 4,081 tonnes for domestic market for 2012 from 2011. The export would increase by 4% to 4,789 tonnes. The production will increase by 5% to 7,748 tonnes.

The shipment decreased by 6% to 8,454 tonnes in 2011 from 2010. The shipment was 1,000 tonnes lower than original estimate. The production decreased by 15% to 7,379 tonnes. The demand decreased in late 2011 due to slow semiconductor market under weak economy in industrial countries and slowed domestic demand after stimulus package. The polycrystal silicon production increased by 62% to record 12,133 tonnes in 2011 from 2010 when the makers raised operation rate.