Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments decreased during the third quarter 2015 when compared to second-quarter area shipments, according to SEMI.

Total silicon wafer area shipments were 2.591 billion square inches during the third quarter, a 4.1% decrease from the 2.702 billion square inches shipped during the previous quarter, SEMI said. Quarterly total area shipments were flat when compared to third-quarter 2014 shipments.

"After two consecutive record breaking quarters, quarterly silicon shipment growth slightly declined," said Ginji Yada, chairman of SEMI SMG and GM of Sumco's international sales & marketing department. "Quarterly shipments for the most recent quarter are on par with the same quarter as last year, with total silicon shipment volumes for 2015 through the end of the third quarter higher relative to the same period last year."