Taiwan-based silicon wafer manufacturer Global Wafer recently announced that it plans to acquire Germany-based silicon wafer manufacturer Siltronic AG for US$4.5 billion, the China Times reported on December 1.The acquisition will be the fifth of GlobalWafers since 2008 and the company has become the world’s third supplier of silicon wafers through these deals. Upon completion of the acquisition, GlobalWafers’ global share is expected to reach 17%, allowing the company to jump to the 2nd place and secure a 30% market share, only next to Shin-Etsu Silicone (33%) and Sumco (25%).The acquisition is slated for completion by the second half of 2021. Global semiconductor market is projected to grow 8% to 12% and global semiconductor total capex to reach US$84.6 billion, up 17.8% year-on-year in 2021, according to MIC (Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute), a major government think tank and IT research institute in Taiwan.