Huatai Securities: Global Semiconductor Equipment Market to Double by 2028
Huatai Securities has released a research report predicting significant growth in the global semiconductor equipment market. The report forecasts that capital expenditure by global semiconductor manufacturing companies will reach $341.7 billion in 2028, a substantial increase of 103.3% from $168.1 billion in 2025, effectively doubling in three years. This surge in capital expenditure is expected to directly impact the semiconductor equipment sector. Consequently, the market for global front-end semiconductor equipment (WFE) is projected to reach $241.4 billion in 2028, marking an approximate 108% growth compared to 2025 levels. Furthermore, the market for global back-end semiconductor equipment is anticipated to grow to approximately $38.3 billion in 2028, a significant rise of 136.9% from $16.16 billion in 2025. Analyzing downstream demand, the memory segment is expected to see the largest expansion at over 150%, followed by the foundry segment with an anticipated growth of 91.4%.
This forecast from Huatai Securities highlights a projected doubling of the global semiconductor equipment market by 2028, driven by a substantial increase in capital expenditure by manufacturers. The analysis suggests a strong demand across both front-end and back-end equipment segments, with particular strength anticipated in memory and foundry operations. Such rapid expansion implies significant investment in advanced manufacturing capabilities and capacity. From a systemic perspective, this growth trajectory could be influenced by geopolitical considerations, technological advancements in AI and other high-demand sectors, and the ongoing global chip supply chain evolution. Investors and industry participants will need to monitor supply chain resilience, R&D innovation, and the potential for market saturation as these investments mature over the next decade.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.