The semiconductor industry stands at a pivotal inflection point, where transformative AI demand intersects with unprecedented economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This presentation examines the complex dynamics shaping the semiconductor equipment and materials landscape through 2028.
Despite elevated global economic policy uncertainty and trade tensions, the semiconductor industry demonstrates remarkable resilience driven by AI's revolutionary influence. The "AI supercycle" is fundamentally reshaping investment patterns from cloud infrastructure to edge computing, with AI/HPC-driven investments projected to represent 55% of total equipment spending by 2030. The global semiconductor equipment market is forecast to reach $126B in 2025 and $138B in 2026, driven by robust wafer fab equipment demand and surging test equipment growth. Regional dynamics show Taiwan and Korea leading with strong AI-related investments, while China normalizes and Europe faces automotive headwinds. US fab investment is projected to show strong growth through 2030, driven by the CHIPS Act, AI infrastructure buildout, and strategic supply chain reshoring.
Materials markets are experiencing a parallel transformation, with wafer fab materials growing to $45B in 2025, fueled by advanced lithography, silicon wafer recovery, and bulk wet chemicals expansion, supporting increasing semiconductor complexity.
This session provides critical insights for navigating the semiconductor industry's next growth phase, where AI-driven demand creates unprecedented opportunities amid evolving global trade landscapes.
