The semiconductor industry spent a record $56.4 billion on research and development in 2015, though growth in this type of spending slowed due to consolidation, concerns over the global economy and slumping sales in the second half of the year, according to market research firm IC Insights Inc. The 2015 semiconductor industry R&D spending total was up just 0.5% from 2014, the lowest rate of increase since the downturn year of 2009, IC Insights said. The growth in 2015 was also significantly below the chip industry R&D spending compound annual growth rate over the past 10 years, 4%, IC Insights said.