Analysts at Macquarie Capital pointed to strong growth in global semi-conductor sales as an indicator of increasing tin use in solders.
In a daily metals market report on Wednesday they noted that: “Global shipments of semiconductors, which give a guide to demand for tin in solder alloys, accounting for around 50% of total use, recorded their eighth consecutive month of year-on-year gains in December. Total 2013 shipments amounted to $306 billion, up 4.8% YoY and a new all-time record following the 2.7% YoY decline in 2012, boosted by especially strong performance in H2. Our semiconductors team sees global sales rising 11% to $338bn in 2014 and this should bode well for tin demand going forward following two very sluggish years from mid-2011 to mid-2013.”
The shipments data referred to is published by World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), the non-profit research organisation founded by semiconductor manufacturers in 1986.
