Semiconductor industry sees growth and shifts driven by AI demand

semiconductor equipment advanced packaging HBM AI chip demand supply chain

The semiconductor industry is experiencing significant shifts driven by AI demand. SEMI predicts global semiconductor equipment sales will reach $165.9 billion in 2026, potentially hitting $229.5 billion by 2028, marking five consecutive years of growth.

In the advanced packaging sector, a shift in High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) logistics is underway. Data indicates HBM shipments to Malaysia have surged to approximately $1.3 billion, while shipments to Taiwan have dropped below $3 billion. This trend aligns with Intel’s $7 billion investment in its Project Pelican advanced packaging facility in Malaysia, which aims to compete with existing dominant technologies.

Upstream supply chains are also facing pressure. High-end PCB materials, including copper-clad laminates (CCL) and glass fabrics, are seeing shortages due to AI server demand, leading to expected price increases in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, Applied Materials is focusing on heterogeneous integration and panel-level packaging (PLP) to address the increasing complexity of AI chips at upcoming industry forums.

Entities

Applied Materials · Chong Yue Technology · Intel · Malaysia · Nan Ya PCB · SEMI · SEMICON Taiwan · TSMC · Unimicron

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] HBM shipments to Taiwan have decreased to below $3 billion. technews.tw
[○ 1 SOURCE] Applied Materials will focus on advanced processes, heterogeneous integration, panel-level packaging (PLP), and smart manufacturing at SEMICON Taiwan 2026.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Intel completed the construction of its Project Pelican advanced packaging plant in Malaysia by the end of 2025. technews.tw
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately $1.3 billion worth of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) has been exported to Malaysia. technews.tw
[○ 1 SOURCE] Semiconductor equipment sales are expected to climb to $229.5 billion by 2028. www.eettaiwan.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales are projected to reach $165.9 billion in 2026. www.eettaiwan.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] A new round of rolling price increases for PCB materials is expected in the second half of the year. abmedia.io