Semiconductor manufacturers are raising their projections for industry shipments in 2011, forecasting sales will grow 5.4 percent over last year to $314.4 billion.

The growth following last year’s 31.8 percent expansion in a recovery year for the anchor technology equipment business, marks an increase from the Semiconductor Industry Association’s earlier forecast of 4.5 percent growth.

“At a time of economic uncertainty, the semiconductor industry continues to be a bright spot in the U.S., economy,” SIA President Brian Toohey said.

The industry group’s forecast calls for “moderate year-over-year growth through 2013, driven by global demand for high-end electronics and growth in emerging economies.”

Shipments of chips have been hurt this year by the impact of the natural disasters in Japan, where sales year-over-year fell 9.9 percent in May, according to SIA. Global semiconductor sales were up 1.3 percent in May compared to last year.