In a speech addressed by Dr. Shiuh-Kao Chiang of Prismark, he shared that although the overall shipment of mobile phone products slowed down in 2017, the revenue of PCB industry had a breakthrough growth due to the new application technologies for high-end mobile phones, Bitcoin, and computer peripherals. The technological advancement, high value-added products and the emerging applications have enabled the global PCB industry to grow by 8.6%. For the PCB industry, the growth in demand and value has further extended to the processing equipment and raw materials markets, resulting in a total annual growth of raw materials and equipment to exceed 15%. This shows that the entire industrial chain is thriving.

 

       In terms of the PCB industry, the key technology developments will include fine-pitch carrier boards and PCBs, high-speed and high-frequency materials, process automation, and smart manufacturing. For emerging technology applications in the coming years, the PCB market will continue to expand the AI and blockchain technologies in 5G wireless communications, smart homes, consumer electronics and autonomous driving.
 

        In addition, Dr. Shiuh-Kao Chiang specially stated that the future market opportunities will lie in AI and 5G applications The future development of AI must reach to the extent to allow machines to process data, analyze data, execute update and improvement measures, and thinner linewidth design requirements on carrier boards. In terms of 5G applications, more emphasis will be placed on the reliability of high-frequency and high-speed PCB materials and electrical properties. (Source: TPCA)