TPCA: Taiwan's PCB output value on both sides of the Taiwan Strait hit a new high in Q3, and ABF substrates are in short supply

The latest data from the Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) shows that in the third quarter, the output value of the PCB industry on both sides of the Taiwan Strait reached 221.4 billion New Taiwan dollars (NTD, the same below), the highest in the same period in history. ABF substrates were in short supply, and the new iPhone's demand for BT substrates pushed the output value of IC substrates to a new high.

According to Taiwan media "Business Times", TPCA said that in the third quarter, except for the continued decline in the output value of rigid-flex boards, the other products maintained growth. Multilayer boards benefited from factors such as the traditional electronic peak season, and the output value increased by 21.8% year-on-year, while flexible boards and HDI increased by 20.8% and 14.1% respectively.

However, TPCA also reminded that while the growth rate of PCB output value was impressive, the shipments of major terminal products showed the opposite situation. Except for a slight increase of 3.8% in PC during the same period, shipments of smartphones and automobiles showed a downward trend.

In terms of smartphones, it was mainly affected by the 14.2% decline in Samsung's shipments. In terms of automobiles, the chip shortage is still dragging down vehicle shipments and disrupting PCB deliveries. However, under the trend of automotive electronics, panels, radars, antennas, etc. have expanded the application of PCBs, so that the output value of automotive PCBs continues to grow.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter and full-year performance, TPCA believes that as the epidemic eases, terminals such as mobile phones, laptops, automobiles and semiconductors will still have certain demand support. In addition, the supply and demand of substrates will continue to exceed that of substrates, and production capacity will be opened up. It is expected that the output value in the fourth quarter will reach 244 billion yuan, and the full-year output value is expected to reach a new high.