IPC recently issued its World PCB Production and Laminate Report for the Year 2007. Based on the best data available, the report presents estimates of printed circuit board (PCB) production and laminate market by region and product type worldwide. The report estimates that the world PCB market continued to expand in 2007, but at a slower growth rate than in previous years. At nearly $50.3 billion, worldwide PCB production grew 5.6% in 2007. PCB growth has outpaced the growth of most other industries, thanks to growing demand for electronic products.
Highlights of the report include an overview of the PCB industry in 2007, PCB production details by region, special analysis of flexible printed boards, laminate market details by region, and historical trends in worldwide PCB production.
According to the report, the top-ten PCB producing countries accounted for 92% of world PCB production in 2007, based on value. China, Hong Kong and Japan together accounted for more than half of total world production. China's growth in PCB production slowed to 16%, but still continued to outpace most other countries. The United States, ranked fifth, produced 8% of the global total in 2007.
According to Walt Custer, president of Custer Consulting Group and member of the 2007 World Market Consensus Committee that developed the report, IPC's World PCB Production and Laminate Report is the electronics industry's recognized source document covering the PCB industry and laminate markets. "This report is indispensable and useful to all tiers of the world electronics chain," said Custer.
Brian Shorrock, managing director, Teknoflex, and Executive Forum member, praised the report's valuable data. "I applaud all the contributors in producing a most informative report. A report like this one fully justifies membership in IPC and is but one element of the overall and very comprehensive service provided by IPC to its global membership that extends to the worldwide PCB industry."