Over the past decade, the printed circuit board (PCB) industry in mainland China has experienced remarkable growth in production capacity. Examining the rankings of China’s PCB industry highlights the rapid evolution and expansion of this sector. In 2002, when the first sales ranking was published, only 28 companies had annual sales exceeding 100 million yuan. Guangzhou Tianli led the list with a sales revenue of 1.30 billion yuan. By 2005, this number had already increased to 100 companies reaching the 100 million yuan sales threshold.
By 2016, during the 15th ranking session, 131 companies had achieved this milestone, marking a 4.7-fold increase compared to the inaugural session. Zhending Technology, the leader among comprehensive PCB enterprises, recorded a sales revenue of 16.819 billion yuan, a staggering 13 times higher than Guangzhou Tianli’s revenue 15 years earlier.
Geographically, the majority of the top 100 PCB companies are concentrated in key regions such as Shenzhen, Huizhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Kunshan, as well as in Taiwan and Hong Kong. These areas have become hubs of PCB manufacturing, benefiting from infrastructure, skilled labor, and strategic business environments.
In summary, the growth of the PCB industry in mainland China is a testament to the country’s increasing capabilities in electronics manufacturing. The substantial rise in both the number of companies and the scale of their revenues underscores the sector’s evolution and its role in the global PCB market.
China’s PCB industry has entered a phase of steady development, with a significant focus on cost-effective low-end PCBs. According to market data from the China Commercial Industry Research Institute, in 2016, the domestic market shares for rigid and composite boards were 13.0% and 3.7%, respectively. In comparison, the market shares for 4-layer, 6-layer, and 8- to 16-layer boards were 19.1%, 13.5%, and 10.4%, respectively. High-end products, such as IC substrates and boards with 18 layers or more, captured relatively smaller shares, at just 2.7% and 1.2%, respectively. HDI boards and flexible PCBs accounted for 16.5% and 17.1% of the market share.
Over time, the technological advancements within China’s PCB sector have led to a gradual optimization of the product mix. As a result, the market share of traditional single/dual-panel and basic multilayer boards has been steadily decreasing. In contrast, high-tech products such as HDI boards, packaging substrates, and flexible boards are experiencing growing demand, reflecting an ongoing shift toward higher value-added products.
On February 4, 2017, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) released the “Guiding Catalogue of Key Products and Services for Strategic Emerging Industries” (2016 Edition). This catalog encompasses a wide range of industries, including new-generation basic information technologies, high-end equipment manufacturing, new materials, biotechnology, and new energy. It spans five primary fields—industrial, energy-saving and environmental protection, digital creative, and new energy vehicles—and covers nearly 4,000 distinct products and services. This edition represents a significant expansion compared to its previous version, adding nearly 900 new items. Notably, artificial intelligence and digital creative industries have been newly included, and the scope of new energy vehicles has been broadened to cover not just electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids but also new energy vehicle products, charging facilities, and production test equipment.
The automotive industry, particularly in the context of electric vehicles (EVs), is undergoing a profound transformation. The increasing integration of intelligence and new energy into vehicles has led to a significant rise in the number of electronic components required for automotive applications. This trend positions automotive electronics as an important and growing market for PCBs. However, the automotive sector demands exceptional safety and reliability standards for its components. Consequently, the PCB industry must proactively invest in technology and production capabilities to meet the evolving requirements of smart cars and new energy vehicles, which are expected to drive significant growth in the near future.
In summary, while China’s PCB industry is still rooted in low-cost, traditional products, the future lies in high-tech, high-value-added solutions. With the rise of electric vehicles and intelligent automotive systems, the PCB industry must be prepared to meet the stringent demands of the automotive sector, ensuring that technology, reliability, and safety are top priorities as these markets continue to grow.
By 2016, during the 15th ranking session, 131 companies had achieved this milestone, marking a 4.7-fold increase compared to the inaugural session. Zhending Technology, the leader among comprehensive PCB enterprises, recorded a sales revenue of 16.819 billion yuan, a staggering 13 times higher than Guangzhou Tianli’s revenue 15 years earlier.
Geographically, the majority of the top 100 PCB companies are concentrated in key regions such as Shenzhen, Huizhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Kunshan, as well as in Taiwan and Hong Kong. These areas have become hubs of PCB manufacturing, benefiting from infrastructure, skilled labor, and strategic business environments.
In summary, the growth of the PCB industry in mainland China is a testament to the country’s increasing capabilities in electronics manufacturing. The substantial rise in both the number of companies and the scale of their revenues underscores the sector’s evolution and its role in the global PCB market.
China’s PCB industry has entered a phase of steady development, with a significant focus on cost-effective low-end PCBs. According to market data from the China Commercial Industry Research Institute, in 2016, the domestic market shares for rigid and composite boards were 13.0% and 3.7%, respectively. In comparison, the market shares for 4-layer, 6-layer, and 8- to 16-layer boards were 19.1%, 13.5%, and 10.4%, respectively. High-end products, such as IC substrates and boards with 18 layers or more, captured relatively smaller shares, at just 2.7% and 1.2%, respectively. HDI boards and flexible PCBs accounted for 16.5% and 17.1% of the market share.
Over time, the technological advancements within China’s PCB sector have led to a gradual optimization of the product mix. As a result, the market share of traditional single/dual-panel and basic multilayer boards has been steadily decreasing. In contrast, high-tech products such as HDI boards, packaging substrates, and flexible boards are experiencing growing demand, reflecting an ongoing shift toward higher value-added products.
On February 4, 2017, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) released the “Guiding Catalogue of Key Products and Services for Strategic Emerging Industries” (2016 Edition). This catalog encompasses a wide range of industries, including new-generation basic information technologies, high-end equipment manufacturing, new materials, biotechnology, and new energy. It spans five primary fields—industrial, energy-saving and environmental protection, digital creative, and new energy vehicles—and covers nearly 4,000 distinct products and services. This edition represents a significant expansion compared to its previous version, adding nearly 900 new items. Notably, artificial intelligence and digital creative industries have been newly included, and the scope of new energy vehicles has been broadened to cover not just electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids but also new energy vehicle products, charging facilities, and production test equipment.
The automotive industry, particularly in the context of electric vehicles (EVs), is undergoing a profound transformation. The increasing integration of intelligence and new energy into vehicles has led to a significant rise in the number of electronic components required for automotive applications. This trend positions automotive electronics as an important and growing market for PCBs. However, the automotive sector demands exceptional safety and reliability standards for its components. Consequently, the PCB industry must proactively invest in technology and production capabilities to meet the evolving requirements of smart cars and new energy vehicles, which are expected to drive significant growth in the near future.
In summary, while China’s PCB industry is still rooted in low-cost, traditional products, the future lies in high-tech, high-value-added solutions. With the rise of electric vehicles and intelligent automotive systems, the PCB industry must be prepared to meet the stringent demands of the automotive sector, ensuring that technology, reliability, and safety are top priorities as these markets continue to grow.
