Annual IPC Studies for PCB
According to IPC’s World PCBProduction and Laminate Market Report for the Year 2008, theworld market for PCBs reached an estimated $50.786 billion in 2008,up one percent over 2007. PCB production in North America,estimated at $4.114 billion, is down 6.5 percent from the previousyear. This report contains estimates of PCB production value andlaminate market in area by country and by product type, along withcommentary on regional trends. The estimates were developed througha consensus process involving seven of the world’s leading industryexperts. This report is due to be published in September and willbe available only to IPC members as a free download from IPC’smembers-only Web page.
BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, August 31, 2009 — IPC—The forecast for North American PCB production is down for 2009,but shows growth resuming in 2010. North American PCB manufacturersmanaged to push sales growth in 2008 slightly above 2007 levels,despite declines in the market for PCBs and PCB production in NorthAmerica. Rigid PCB and flexible circuit producers have verydifferent expectations for sales growth in 2009. These are just afew of the highlights from four newly or soon to be released annualstudies from IPC Market Research.
The PCB industry growth forecast, published in the 2008-2009Industry Analysis and Forecast for Rigid PCBs in NorthAmerica, shows world production declining in 2009 by 20percent to $40.6 billion worldwide. North American production isexpected to end the current year at about 15 percent below 2008,but will start climbing again in 2010. The Rigid PCB report alsoincludes data on average costs of panels and PCBs for variousproduct categories, as well as data on laminates purchased andtrends in multilayer production. Both the Rigid report and a Flexreport include data on imports and exports, and number of companiesin the industry.
According to IPC’s 2008-2009 Industry Analysis and Forecastfor Flexible Circuits in North America, the North Americanmarket for flexible circuits declined almost 10 percent in 2008 toan estimated $441 million. This decline reflects the loss of somecompanies in the PCB industry and the continued movement ofend-product manufacturing to other regions.
PCB manufacturers that remain active in North America, however,did better than the market in 2008. Rigid PCB manufacturersreported flat (0 percent) sales growth and flexible circuitproducers reported 17 percent sales growth in 2008, despitedeclines in both markets.
IPC’s 2008-2009 Industry Analysis and Forecast for RigidPCBs in North America and the 2008-2009 Industry Analysisand Forecast for Flexible Circuits in North America werepublished this summer. They are based on surveys of North AmericanPCB manufacturers conducted earlier this year. The reports are freeto companies that participated in the surveys. They are availablefor sale in IPC’s online store for $475 each to IPC members and$950 each to nonmembers.
News forwarded by Win WinCircuit