Global Semiconductor Equipment Sales Hit Record High in Q1 2026, Driven by AI and Advanced Packaging Investments

(Central News Agency, reporter Zhang Jianzhong, Hsinchu, 11th) According to statistics from the International Semiconductor Industry Association (SEMI), global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales in the first quarter of 2026 reached $36.55 billion, setting a new single-quarter historical high. This represents a 1% increase from the previous quarter and a 14% increase compared to the same period last year.

SEMI's Global Chief Marketing Officer and Taiwan President, Cao Shilun, stated that the record-high equipment sales in the first quarter of 2026 demonstrate that the investment momentum in advanced manufacturing and advanced packaging remains stable, continuing to drive the development of the global semiconductor industry.

SEMI pointed out that the semiconductor equipment market in the first quarter continued to benefit from the artificial intelligence (AI)-related investment boom, with global semiconductor manufacturers actively expanding production capacity and advancing technology upgrades. Related investments are mainly concentrated on supporting the development of advanced logic processes, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and advanced packaging technologies.

China's semiconductor equipment sales in the first quarter were $10.99 billion, ranking first globally. South Korea followed with sales of $8.93 billion. Taiwan's sales reached $8.77 billion, ranking third globally. (Editor: Yang Lanxuan) 1150611