The market has grown rapidly in recent years, owing primarily to the continuous development of consumer electronics devices and rising demand for PCBs in all electronics and electrical equipment.

The use of PCBs in connected vehicles has also boosted the PCB market. These are vehicles that are fully equipped with both wired and wireless technologies, allowing them to connect to computing devices like smartphones with ease. Using this technology, drivers can unlock their vehicles, start climate control systems remotely, check the status of their electric car batteries, and track their vehicles.

PCB Industry Trend Analysis:

Miniaturization: A significant trend in the Industry is the demand for smaller and more compact PCBs, driven by the need for smaller electronic devices.

High-Speed and High-Frequency PCBs: With the expansion of 5G technology and the development of high-speed data transfer applications, the demand for high-frequency PCBs has increased.

IoT and Smart Devices: The proliferation of IoT devices and smart technology has boosted the PCB market, as these devices often require customized and specialized PCBs.

Automation and Robotics: The use of automation and robotics in PCB manufacturing is on the rise to improve efficiency and precision.

Supply Chain Challenges: The Pcb Industry, like many others, has faced supply chain disruptions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Managing these disruptions has become a critical aspect of industry operations.

Current Status and Future Development Trends of China’s PCB Industry:

Prior to 2000, more than 70% of the total value of PCB production was accounted for by the combined output of the three major regions of America, Europe, and Japan. However, over the last 20 years, Asia has become increasingly important to the global PCB industry. Over time, a new pattern that is centered on mainland China and supported by other regions has emerged.

China will produce about 54.6% of the world’s total PCB output in 2021, or about 44.2 billion US dollars. China’s PCB output value is predicted to increase between 2022 and 2026 at a compound annual growth rate of about 5.6%, reaching US$56 billion and making up 55.2% of the global total. The position of the industry’s top manufacturing hub will remain held by China.

The PCB industry’s output value in mainland China increased from $26.2 billion in 2014 to $44.2 billion in 2021. Since 2014, mainland China has increased the size of its PCB production, and in 2021, the annual growth rate will reach 25%. As the transfer of the PCB industry is accelerated, the percentage of China’s PCB output value will further increase.

Statistics show that as of 2021, there were 2,800 PCB companies worldwide, 2,372 of which were located in mainland China. The Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta serve as the focal points of China’s PCB industry cluster. In 2021, the PCB industry will be spread across 22 provinces and municipalities in the nation, with a total of 2,372 businesses, according to CPCA statistics.

PCB Market Opportunities in the New Era:

5G Technology: With the rollout of 5G networks worldwide, there are significant opportunities for PCB or  PCBA manufacturers to produce high-frequency boards and antennas for 5G infrastructure and devices.

Electric Vehicles (EVs): The shift towards electric vehicles is creating a robust demand for PCBs used in EV battery management systems, power electronics, and charging infrastructure.

Medical Electronics: The healthcare industry’s increasing reliance on electronic medical devices and diagnostic equipment presents growth opportunities for PCB manufacturers China.

IoT and Edge Computing: As the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing continue to expand, there is a growing need for specialized PCBs designed for IoT devices and edge servers.

Sustainability: There is an increasing focus on sustainable materials and manufacturing processes in the PCB industry. Manufacturers that can offer eco-friendly solutions may find favorable opportunities.

AI and Machine Learning: PCBs are critical components in AI and machine learning systems, opening up opportunities in the data center and AI hardware sectors.

It’s essential to conduct in-depth market research and stay updated with the latest industry developments to identify specific opportunities in the ever-evolving PCB industry, especially in the context of the “new era” beyond 2021. Consulting industry reports and collaborating with experts can provide valuable insights for businesses operating in this field.

Final Words

In general, demand in the PCB industry is relatively weak due to the increasing risk of economic recession, the epidemic, and other factors, and the inflection point of the PCB industry chain industry has not yet arrived. It is expected to emerge from the trough around Q2 and Q3 of 2023, and it will be maintained for the foreseeable future.

New energy vehicles, servers, packaging substrates, and other fields are expected to boost the PCB market space in the segmented market.