Apple is throwing good money to Career Technology to produce FPCB for the antenna of the next iPhone, which indicates a promising future for LCP Resin materials. The USD$500-million-dollar market is expected to be shared by a number of mobile component manufacturers.

 

       

Regarding the application of LCP to the iPhone’s FPCB antenna modules, although it was adopted on two previous iPhones, the material has not been commonly used. The three iPhones expected to be launched this year will feature LCP, according to FPCB manufacturers, with two more FPCBs for each new iPhone; a total of nine pieces will be required, making the demand nine times greater than before. Thanks to Apple’s handsome pay to Career Technology for relevant equipment, the FPCB manufacturer is expected to become Apple’s major supplier by most likely receiving more than 50% of the orders.

 

Career Technology has received at least 300 million USD funds from Apple this year for mass production, said one industry source. With 200 million USD for LD, 150 million USD for LDI, and 50 million USD for AOI, not to mention other relevant process equipment, Taiwan’s mobile component manufacturers are focused on this enormous market. As for the PCB industry, the threshold of high-end equipment has made it difficult for other domestic manufacturers to follow, Machvision would most likely be the main AOI provider, followed by SAA, which has undergone a 126 million NTD expansion that is expected to be completed mid-year.

 

Although the new iPhone’s LCP antenna FPCB is priced at 2 USD, Apple is really focusing on its compatibility with 5G products. The FPCB industry has indicated that there are currently only a few LCP suppliers in places such as Japan and none in Taiwan; nevertheless, it remains competitive as major mobile phone companies, including Huawei, are hard to follow. (Source: Commercial Times)