sponsoredPCB MARKET Keeping your supply chain moving

The rapid growth in AI and related infrastructure continues to place significant pressure on the PCB supply chain. Glass yarn shortages remain a major challenge and, from our recent discussions with factory partners, concerns are growing that copper foil shortages could further impact the supply of copper clad laminates (CCL) to PCB factories.

Material availability remains the main constraint, with pressure now extending across several key input materials. As highlighted in our previous PCB supply chain update, pricing is no longer the main challenge; material availability is. The supply chain continues to tighten, with PCB factories facing stricter allocations and more frequent shortages.

• Pre-pregs: A few months ago, the main concern was extended lead times for prepregs, starting with 1080. This challenge has now expanded to all pre-preg types, including 2116 and 7628.

• Copper-clad laminate is now the most critical concern across the industry, with no significant improvement expected in the short to mid-term.

• 1.5 mm CCL: Availability is tight and expected to worsen. Factories are receiving around 70% of their historical monthly run rates from their primary laminate supplier and are turning to open-market bidding to cover shortfalls.

• 2.0 mm and 2.4 mm CCL: The situation is even more severe. Two major laminate producers in China have stopped producing these thicknesses, while others are no longer accepting new orders.

• Supply-demand gap: The gap continues to widen as rising demand for high-end materials shifts production toward higher-margin products, reducing output of standard loss materials. Some reports indicate a monthly supply gap of 8 million SQM.

NCAB Group continuously monitors the PCB market to stay ahead with the drastic shifts and to help customers navigate the new conditions, for example, through material testing and support from local engineers to evaluate alternative designs and build-ups. Our PCB supply chain outlook is updated regularly and can be downloaded here: https://www.ncabgroup.com/pcb-supply-chain-outlook/

10-13 November we will be at electronica exhibition in Munich, meet us there and discuss the PCB market or other questions about PCB related topics of all kinds. You will find us in Hall A2, stand 243. Visit us: https://www.ncabgroup.com/electronica-2026/

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