GlobalWafers: Significant Improvement in Customer Demand, 12-inch Production Lines at Full Capacity
Semiconductor silicon wafer manufacturer GlobalWafers announced a significant improvement in customer demand, leading to full capacity utilization of its 12-inch production lines and a notable increase in the utilization rate of small and medium-sized wafers. Despite a Q1 profit decline due to seasonal factors, the company is accelerating the ramp-up of new lines.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 20:49
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 21:01 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 21:10 (8 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chien-chung, Hsinchu, 5th) Semiconductor silicon wafer manufacturer GlobalWafers announced today that there are multiple positive signals from customers, with significant improvement in demand. Except for new production lines still in the ramp-up phase, 12-inch production lines at global sites are at full capacity, and the utilization rate of small and medium-sized wafers has also significantly increased.
GlobalWafers held an online investor conference to announce its first-quarter operating results. Quarterly revenue was NT$13.985 billion, a 3.6% decrease quarter-on-quarter. Gross profit margin was 20.8%, a 4.9 percentage point decrease from Q4 2025. Net profit after tax was NT$1.896 billion, a 14% decrease quarter-on-quarter, with earnings per share of NT$3.97.
GlobalWafers pointed out that Q1 operations were affected by seasonal and extreme weather short-term fluctuations. As the disturbances subsided, all fabs have returned to normal shipments. Although short-term pressure remains due to the impact of mass production ramp-up, the company will accelerate verification and capacity improvement.
GlobalWafers stated that customer demand has significantly improved. Except for new production lines still in the ramp-up phase, 12-inch production lines at global sites are at full capacity, and the utilization rate of small and medium-sized wafers has also significantly increased. Due to the recovery in demand for power management and analog applications, the utilization rate of 8-inch production lines remains high, and 6-inch demand is gradually recovering.
Regarding the status of global sites, GlobalWafers pointed out that its Utsunomiya, Japan fab has quickly become profitable; equipment installation for the expansion of its Italian fab is nearing completion, and the new production line has passed IATF 16949 certification. Related processes and quality management meet the requirements of the automotive supply chain, which will help accelerate customer verification and mass production introduction.
GlobalWafers stated that equipment installation and production line construction are continuing at its new US Texas fab, which has obtained first-tier customer certification to initiate capacity ramp-up. At its Missouri fab, 12-inch SOI new equipment has successively completed production verification, and some RF and silicon photonics products have begun mass production in Q1 this year.
As for government subsidies, GlobalWafers pointed out that in addition to the Chip Act subsidies previously obtained by its US subsidiary, it recently further obtained Advanced Manufacturing Investment Tax Credits (AMIC) and other government subsidies, with approximately US$317.8 million received in Q1 this year.
GlobalWafers stated that for the government subsidies obtained by its Italian fab, the first installment has been approved, and nearly 30 million euros in related subsidies were actually received in March this year. Subsequent phase subsidy applications will proceed sequentially according to schedule. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Chien-chung, Hsinchu, 5th) Semiconductor silicon wafer manufacturer GlobalWafers announced today that there are multiple positive signals from customers, with significant improvement in demand. Except for new production lines still in the ramp-up phase, 12-inch production lines at global sites are at full capacity, and the utilization rate of small and medium-sized wafers has also significantly increased.
GlobalWafers held an online investor conference to announce its first-quarter operating results. Quarterly revenue was NT$13.985 billion, a 3.6% decrease quarter-on-quarter. Gross profit margin was 20.8%, a 4.9 percentage point decrease from Q4 2025. Net profit after tax was NT$1.896 billion, a 14% decrease quarter-on-quarter, with earnings per share of NT$3.97.
GlobalWafers pointed out that Q1 operations were affected by seasonal and extreme weather short-term fluctuations. As the disturbances subsided, all fabs have returned to normal shipments. Although short-term pressure remains due to the impact of mass production ramp-up, the company will accelerate verification and capacity improvement.
GlobalWafers stated that customer demand has significantly improved. Except for new production lines still in the ramp-up phase, 12-inch production lines at global sites are at full capacity, and the utilization rate of small and medium-sized wafers has also significantly increased. Due to the recovery in demand for power management and analog applications, the utilization rate of 8-inch production lines remains high, and 6-inch demand is gradually recovering.
Regarding the status of global sites, GlobalWafers pointed out that its Utsunomiya, Japan fab has quickly become profitable; equipment installation for the expansion of its Italian fab is nearing completion, and the new production line has passed IATF 16949 certification. Related processes and quality management meet the requirements of the automotive supply chain, which will help accelerate customer verification and mass production introduction.
GlobalWafers stated that equipment installation and production line construction are continuing at its new US Texas fab, which has obtained first-tier customer certification to initiate capacity ramp-up. At its Missouri fab, 12-inch SOI new equipment has successively completed production verification, and some RF and silicon photonics products have begun mass production in Q1 this year.
As for government subsidies, GlobalWafers pointed out that in addition to the Chip Act subsidies previously obtained by its US subsidiary, it recently further obtained Advanced Manufacturing Investment Tax Credits (AMIC) and other government subsidies, with approximately US$317.8 million received in Q1 this year.
GlobalWafers stated that for the government subsidies obtained by its Italian fab, the first installment has been approved, and nearly 30 million euros in related subsidies were actually received in March this year. Subsequent phase subsidy applications will proceed sequentially according to schedule. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.