India's semiconductor consumption to grow over 20% this year: Gartner

Mumbai: In contrast with the global trend, India’s semiconductor consumption rose 7.4 per cent to touch $8 billion in 2012 from that a year ago.

Worldwide semiconductor revenues fell 2.6 per cent to touch $299.9 billion in 2012, according to a study by research and analysis firm Gartner.

“The worldwide semiconductor industry suffered serious disruption in 2012. Excess inventory in the supply chain was the key factor,” said Ganesh Ramamoorthy, research director at Gartner.

“High inventory levels impacted semiconductor consumption in India as well during 2012. However, a relatively better domestic economic climate and growth in consumer spending helped semiconductor consumption growth in India,” he added.

Of the three key electronic devices — mobile phones, PCs and LCD TVs, LCD TVssaw the biggest growth of nearly 45 per cent in terms of semiconductor consumption.

Demand for mobile phones grew 5.7 per cent and that of personal computers fell 0.3 per cent during 2012.

The three key electronic devices account for more than 70 per cent of India’s overall semiconductor consumption.

Consumption to rise
“With the global semiconductor industry poised for a rebound starting in the second quarter of 2013, we expect the semiconductor consumption in India to also grow. Semiconductor consumption in India will reach $9.6 billion in 2013, an increase of 20 per cent over 2012,” said Ramamoorthy.

“Mobile phones, PCs and LCD TVs will account for 74 per cent of India’s total semiconductor consumption in 2013,” he added.