The Growing Importance of FPC Flexible Circuit Boards in Electronic Products

As society’s demand for informatization and intelligence continues to rise, the use of FPC flexible circuit boards and components has become increasingly common across various industries.

Government Support for Electronic Informatization

The government is set to boost investment in electronic informatization, especially in emerging areas, which will drive the development of FPC flexible circuit boards. The nationwide deployment of 5G technology will also create new opportunities for the industry.

Advantages and Disadvantages of FPC Flexible Circuit Boards

Advantages:

• Flexibility in bending, winding, and folding
• Reduced volume and weight of electronic products
• Excellent heat dissipation and solderability

Disadvantages:

• High initial cost
• Challenges in modifying and repairing
• Size limitations
• Risk of damage from incorrect handling

Applications and Market Prospects of FPC Flexible Circuit Boards

The demand for lightweight and compact electronic products has driven the widespread adoption of FPC circuit boards in military, civilian, and consumer electronics. These boards are extensively used in mobile phones for various functions, including signal connections and folding mechanisms.

With the continuous innovation in electronic products, the market for FPC flexible circuit boards is expected to expand further, especially in the mobile phone industry.

China’s Growing Markets for FPC Flexible Circuit Boards

The 2018 Communication Operation Industry Bulletin from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology unveiled a significant increase in telephone users in China. The total number reached 1.536 billion, marking a 6.8% growth. The rise in mobile phone users, up by 78.96 million to 2.82 billion, indicates a shift towards smartphone dominance. Smartphones, utilizing between 5 and 12 FPC flexible boards, have a higher output value compared to functional phones.

Impacts on Various Industries:

• Smartphone Industry: Camera modules, antennas, displays, and USB cables rely on FPC flexible circuit boards for their operations.
• Automotive Electronics Market: The demand for FPC boards is increasing due to the rise in vehicle control systems that require high signal transmission reliability.
• Medical Monitoring Equipment Sector: The rapid growth of China’s medical equipment market, coupled with increased investments in healthcare infrastructure, presents significant opportunities for FPC flexible circuit boards.

Key Market Trends:

The automotive electronics market is witnessing a surge in demand for FPC boards to support advanced vehicle control systems. In 2018, China experienced substantial growth in car production and sales, particularly in the passenger vehicle segment.

On the other hand, the medical monitoring equipment sector has seen remarkable expansion over the past decade. With the continuous development of China’s healthcare system and the increasing focus on medical device advancements, the need for FPC flexible circuit boards in this field is set to grow further.