Amsterdam: Global sales of equipment used to manufacture computer chips are expected to rise sharply over the next two years, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence technologies and the growing need for advanced processors and memory chips.
According to industry forecasts, worldwide chipmaking equipment sales are projected to increase by about nine percent to nearly 126 billion dollars in 2026. The growth is expected to continue in 2027, with sales estimated to reach around 135 billion dollars, reflecting sustained investment by chip manufacturers responding to strong AI related demand.
The surge is largely fuelled by the expansion of data centres and the rising use of artificial intelligence across industries, which has significantly increased demand for high performance logic chips and advanced memory products such as high bandwidth memory. These components are essential for running large AI models and cloud based services.
Asia is expected to remain the centre of global investment in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. China is forecast to be the largest buyer as it continues to build domestic chipmaking capacity. Taiwan is focusing heavily on leading edge chip production, while South Korea is investing strongly in advanced memory technologies to support AI workloads.
Major suppliers of chipmaking tools, including ASML, Applied Materials, KLA, Lam Research and Tokyo Electron, are expected to benefit from this long term investment cycle. Industry experts note that AI focused chips require more complex and precise manufacturing processes, increasing spending on advanced equipment.
Beyond wafer fabrication, demand for testing and packaging machines is also rising as chip designs become more complex and tightly integrated. Analysts say this reflects a broader structural shift in the semiconductor industry, where AI is creating a multi year growth cycle rather than a short term rebound.
While geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions continue to shape investment decisions, strong government incentives and the strategic importance of semiconductor supply chains are supporting continued capital spending. Overall, the outlook suggests that the AI boom is reshaping the global chip industry and driving equipment sales to record levels over the coming years.