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Samsung jumps into first (from 34)
age sensors (17% QoQ) experienced
stronger growth, but the memory market
is five times larger than these two mar-
kets combined. The size of the memory
market means it influences the overall
semiconductor market.
Without memory, slower growth
For example, if memory revenue is re-
moved, the remaining semiconductor mar-
ket grew, but at a rate below the historical
average in Q3 from Q2.
Within memory, the NAND market grew to
its highest ever quarterly revenue, jump-
ing from $16.4B to $18.7B.
Craig Stice, Omdia chief analyst for semi-
conductor research, said, “Preliminary
data shows the NAND market reached
nearly $18.7 billion in 3Q21, an impres-
sive QoQ increase of 13.8%.
The NAND market was fueled by strong
shipment growth to meet demand com-
ing out of the enterprise and data center
markets, as well as stable demand out of
the smartphone market.
ASPs increase
Additionally, average selling prices in 3Q21
saw a near 5% QoQ increase as supply
and demand remained slightly out of bal-
ance.”
After 11 straight quarters as the num-
ber one ranked semiconductor firm, Intel
slipped to number two behind Samsung
Electronics. This was due to Samsung’s
memory sales, where the Korean company
is the number one DRAM and NAND sup-
plier.
Memory was the largest growth area for
semiconductors in Q3 2021.
Memory semiconductor revenue rose 17%
in 21Q2 from 21Q1 and another 12% in
21Q3 from 21Q2, lifting Samsung above
Intel.
Work-from-Home
Strong demand for DRAM and NAND to
support applications and infrastructure for
work-from-home and educate-from-home
has benefitted the memory sector.
Intel, the largest MPU maker, was limited
as overall MPU revenue in Q3 2021 was
nearly flat, up just 0.5%, according to
Omdia.
Memory triumverate
Memory-focused semiconductor firms
(Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Mi-
cron Technology) made up three of the top
four semiconductor firms in Q3 2021 and
continue to dominate the quarterly rev-
enue rankings. omdia.tech
FormFactor opens new
probe card facility
LIVERMORE, Calif. — FormFactor Inc.,
a maker of test and measurement
products, has opened a new manu-
facturing facility here, expanding its
Livermore campus.
The 90,000 square foot facility provides
the company with additional capacity to
manufacture advanced wafer probe cards,
essential equipment to test semiconductor
chips and support the growing test de-
mand of advanced packaging.
The new building features a class 1000
clean room for the assembly and test of
MEMS probe cards, as well as office and
warehouse space.
facility represents a significant part of the
company’s plans to invest approximately
$70-80 million in 2021 on manufacturing
capacity expansion. formfactor.com