Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments have declined by 2% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the previous quarter same year, according to an analysis by SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG).

The quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry showed that total silicon wafer area shipments were down by 5% in the third quarter of 2011, compared to the same quarter previous year.

The total shipments were 2,354 million square inches in Q3 2011 compared to 2,392 million square inches shipped during the previous quarter, and 2,489 million square inches in Q3 2010.

SEMI SMG chairman and Siltronic corporate vice president Volker Braetsch said silicon shipments for the most recent quarter are reflecting the general hesitancy of the market.

The shipments considered in this report include shipments for semiconductor applications only and do not include solar applications.