Wafer fab equipment (WFE) revenue projected to hit $165 billion by 2029

With semiconductor device revenue showing 19% year-over-year growth , WFE vendors are adapting to uneven CapEx by broadening their application mix...

The semiconductor industry is on a strong upward trajectory, with revenue expected to reach $630 billion by 2024 and a 19% year-over-year growth from 2023 to 2024. However, beneath these impressive figures, the reality is more complex. Growth will vary significantly across different device segments. 

Yole Group analysts attribute this surge primarily to investments in generative AI for DRAM / HBM and processors, while NAND CapEx remains weak, and CapEx in the legacy logic and specialty markets faces potential risks. In this uncertain landscape, WFE vendors are navigating uneven capital expenditures by diversifying their application portfolios to sustain or boost their revenue levels. 

By 2029, overall WFE revenue is projected to reach $165 billion, maintaining similar proportions with 2024 between the two segments, shipments and service & support, announces Yole Group in its new report, Status of the Wafer Fab Industry.

Taguhi Yeghoyan, Senior Technology & Market Analyst, Semiconductor Equipment at Yole Group, explains:“WFE shipments are expected to grow to $139 billion during this period, with a +4.7% CAGR . This segment is clearly driven by changes in device architecture across memory and logic. At the same time, the service & support segment is set to generate $27 billion in revenue, with a +3.3% CAGR. Indeed, it is pushed by the surge in installed base utilization rates and increasing machinery complexity."

* WFE vendors’ overall revenue for 2024 is projected at $133 billion, with 83% coming from shipments and 17% from service & support. The overall market will reach $165 billion by 2029.

* USA-headquartered companies traditionally lead in revenue generation. On the other hand, in 2023 and 2024, mainland China will be the most important equipment shipment destination, with a third of the overall WFE revenue.

* WFE market leaders are ASML, Applied Materials (AMAT), Lam Research, Tokyo Electron Ltd (TEL), and KLA.