The market research group says the increase was due to two factors: a continued rise in demand for 300-mm wafers, which commanded a price premium; and high wafer prices in general, partly caused by a shortage of polysilicon.

Gartner said its expects growth in demand for 300-mm wafers will slow as the market matures, and prices will weaken accordingly. The researchers add that while, so far, the production capacity of manufacturers has governed the direction of the 300-mm market, demand will become a stronger influence on its dynamics. Wafer vendors will thus need to tailor their prices to suit individual device segments.

Gartner says the main supplier in 2007 was Shin-Etsu Handotai, whose revenue increased by 23.8 percent to exceed $4 billion, and whose market share rose by 0.3 percentage points to 32.5 percent. Shipments of 300-mm wafers greatly contributed to the Japanese group's progress during the year.

Sumco, in second place, achieved revenue growth of 24.7 percent and secured a 21.7 percent share by gaining 0.4 percentage points. Like Shin-Etsu, Sumco has expanded its production and sales of 300-mm wafers. Notably, it has invested heavily in expanding the capacity of its plant at Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

German supplier Siltronic recorded above-average revenue growth of 29.2 percent, according to the Gartner analysis. Its third place was sustained by a solid market share of 14.8 percent and total revenue of $1.8 billion. Siltronic is also expanding its 300-mm wafer business, and sales in South Korea and Taiwan are said to have contributed greatly to the company's increased market share in 2007.

By: DocMemory
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