2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2026-01-21 00:59Core Viewpoint - The global demand for 8-inch wafers is experiencing a structural imbalance due to the strategic capacity reductions by major players like TSMC and Samsung, alongside a surge in demand for AI-related power management chips, leading to increased prices and utilization rates in the industry [1][3][4]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The global supply of 8-inch wafers is entering a period of imbalance, with a projected 2.4% decline in total capacity by 2026 due to TSMC and Samsung's strategic capacity cuts [3][4]. - The average utilization rate in the wafer foundry industry is expected to rise to 90% by Q4 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of approximately 7 percentage points, driven by AI applications and the recovery of automotive and industrial control sectors [4][6]. Group 2: Impact on Chinese Foundries - Chinese mainland wafer foundries are emerging as key players to fill the global capacity void, with companies like SMIC and Hua Hong Semiconductor benefiting from the increased demand for 8-inch chips [6][7]. - SMIC's monthly production capacity for logic chips has reached 1.023 million 8-inch equivalent wafers, with a utilization rate of 95.8%, marking a significant recovery since Q2 2022 [7]. - Price increases for 8-inch chips have been implemented, with some orders seeing price hikes of up to 20%, as foundries respond to tightening supply and demand conditions [8]. Group 3: Long-term Trends - Despite the current boom in 8-inch wafer production, there is an ongoing trend of migrating power management and display driver chips to 12-inch nodes, indicating a need for Chinese manufacturers to accelerate their 12-inch technology development [8]. - The global semiconductor manufacturing sector is expected to increase 12-inch wafer production capacity to a historical high of 9.6 million wafers per month by 2026, driven by strong long-term demand [8].