1. The PCB industry is the largest sector in the global electronic components market by output value and serves as the foundational industry for manufacturing electronic information products. In 2019, the global PCB industry’s output value experienced a slight decline of 1.7% year-on-year, totaling US$61.3 billion due to various factors.
2. Despite the impact of COVID-19, the rapid advancement of 5G technology has spurred growth in the PCB industry. It is projected that the global PCB output value will rise to US$62.5 billion in 2020 and reach US$79.2 billion by 2025.
3. The printed circuit board (PCB) industry underpins the production of electronic information products and is the largest sector in the global electronic component industry by output value. PCBs are essential across a wide range of applications, from household appliances to marine exploration devices, providing crucial interconnection support for electronic components.
1. Global PCB output value declined slightly in 2019.
2. Affected by trade frictions, declining terminal demand, and exchange rate depreciation, the global PCB output value was US$61.3 billion, a slight decrease of 1.7% from US$62.4 billion in 2018. Mobile phones are the primary application channels for PCBs. Despite a three-year decline in mobile phone shipments, the overall decrease in global PCB production remained relatively modest. Infrastructure investments before 5G also played a significant role, and some PCB needs were fulfilled.
3. Communication electronics is the main application area.
4. From the perspective of application areas, most PCB market segments saw a decline in 2019, but demand for infrastructure applications such as 5G networks and data centers continued to grow from 2018. Specifically, the server/data storage sector saw a 3.1% year-on-year increase in output value. The computer sector (including servers/data storage) accounted for 28.6% of the global PCB output value.
5. However, overall, communication electronics remains the most crucial application field in the PCB industry, representing 33.0% of the global PCB application market in 2019.
6. Seven Chinese manufacturers are in the global TOP10 list.
7. The growth of downstream industries is a key driver for PCB companies. Thanks to the significant roles of Taiwan ODM/EMS factories, module manufacturers, and semiconductor companies in the PC and mobile phone industry chains, Taiwanese PCB companies like Zhending, Xinxing, Huatong, and Tripod have consistently ranked among the world’s top ten PCB manufacturers.
8. Among them, the FPC giant closely tied to Apple’s business emerged as the leading PCB manufacturer globally in 2019. Overall, seven Chinese companies were among the TOP10 global PCB manufacturers in 2019, making China the largest PCB manufacturing country.
9. The scale of output value is expected to continue expanding.
10. Entering 2020, despite COVID-19 disrupting 5G development, countries continue to compete in the 5G arena. With the epidemic ongoing, nations are using digital technology to monitor the situation and anticipate shifts in industries like 5G, cloud computing, and AI. Emerging digital life scenarios such as remote teaching, intelligent diagnosis and treatment, and industrial risk control AI are being activated. Based on the overall development trend in 2020, 5G remains a major driver of industrial economic growth. The global PCB output value growth rate is estimated to reach 2% in 2020, with the output value scale approximating US$62.5 billion.
11. From 2020 to 2025, the global PCB output value is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 5%. By 2025, the global PCB output value is anticipated to approach US$80 billion.
2. Despite the impact of COVID-19, the rapid advancement of 5G technology has spurred growth in the PCB industry. It is projected that the global PCB output value will rise to US$62.5 billion in 2020 and reach US$79.2 billion by 2025.
3. The printed circuit board (PCB) industry underpins the production of electronic information products and is the largest sector in the global electronic component industry by output value. PCBs are essential across a wide range of applications, from household appliances to marine exploration devices, providing crucial interconnection support for electronic components.
1. Global PCB output value declined slightly in 2019.
2. Affected by trade frictions, declining terminal demand, and exchange rate depreciation, the global PCB output value was US$61.3 billion, a slight decrease of 1.7% from US$62.4 billion in 2018. Mobile phones are the primary application channels for PCBs. Despite a three-year decline in mobile phone shipments, the overall decrease in global PCB production remained relatively modest. Infrastructure investments before 5G also played a significant role, and some PCB needs were fulfilled.
3. Communication electronics is the main application area.
4. From the perspective of application areas, most PCB market segments saw a decline in 2019, but demand for infrastructure applications such as 5G networks and data centers continued to grow from 2018. Specifically, the server/data storage sector saw a 3.1% year-on-year increase in output value. The computer sector (including servers/data storage) accounted for 28.6% of the global PCB output value.
5. However, overall, communication electronics remains the most crucial application field in the PCB industry, representing 33.0% of the global PCB application market in 2019.
6. Seven Chinese manufacturers are in the global TOP10 list.
7. The growth of downstream industries is a key driver for PCB companies. Thanks to the significant roles of Taiwan ODM/EMS factories, module manufacturers, and semiconductor companies in the PC and mobile phone industry chains, Taiwanese PCB companies like Zhending, Xinxing, Huatong, and Tripod have consistently ranked among the world’s top ten PCB manufacturers.
8. Among them, the FPC giant closely tied to Apple’s business emerged as the leading PCB manufacturer globally in 2019. Overall, seven Chinese companies were among the TOP10 global PCB manufacturers in 2019, making China the largest PCB manufacturing country.
9. The scale of output value is expected to continue expanding.
10. Entering 2020, despite COVID-19 disrupting 5G development, countries continue to compete in the 5G arena. With the epidemic ongoing, nations are using digital technology to monitor the situation and anticipate shifts in industries like 5G, cloud computing, and AI. Emerging digital life scenarios such as remote teaching, intelligent diagnosis and treatment, and industrial risk control AI are being activated. Based on the overall development trend in 2020, 5G remains a major driver of industrial economic growth. The global PCB output value growth rate is estimated to reach 2% in 2020, with the output value scale approximating US$62.5 billion.
11. From 2020 to 2025, the global PCB output value is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 5%. By 2025, the global PCB output value is anticipated to approach US$80 billion.
