Demand for silicon wafers grew in the second quarter of 2012, according to analysis by SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group, which reports that wafer area shipments increased 20 percent globally from the first quarter to the second. Silicon wafers are the building material for semiconductors, which are used in virtually all electronic goods, including computers, telecommunication products and consumer electronics. Total silicon wafer area shipments for the recent quarter were 2447 million square inches, up 20 percent from 2033 million square inches shipped during the previous quarter. New quarterly total area shipments are up 2 percent over second quarter 2011. “As expected, second quarter silicon shipment volumes increased compared to both the first quarter and the second quarter last year," said Dr. Bruce Kellerman, chairman of SEMI SMG. “Given the ongoing market uncertainties and challenges, the overall wafer demand for 2012 is expected to be relatively flat compared to 2011." For more information, visit: www.semi.org