Flexible PCBs demand on the rise; rigid-flex PCBs in steady growth pace

With portable handsets expanding in application features, demand for flexible PCBs is also on the rise. Taiwan-based PCB manufacturers in mainland China this year are expanding their manufacturing reach, enabling capacity boosts in their mainland China operations.

Majority of large-scale PCB manufacturers in Taiwan is concentrated on producing rigid-flex PCBs that are targeted for mobile phone and digital camera applications. However, efforts are being established for a flexible PCB shift aimed for overseas suppliers in Japan, the United States and Europe.

However, rigid-flex types still hold a very steady market among manufacturers. Ya Hsin Ind. Co. Ltd, a Taiwan-based company that was among the first to mass produce rigid-flex PCBs, has signed an agreement with Sharp Corp. for rigid-flex PCB technology transfer.

Wus Printed Circuit Co. Ltd began developing rigid-flex PCBs in 2003 and started product sampling in the second quarter of this year. Wus invested nearly $29.52 for the R&D of enhanced rigid-flex PCBs.

On its part, Career Tech (Mfg) Co. Ltd had forged a tie-up with a rigid PCB maker, Unimicron Technology Corp., to develop rigid-flex PCBs. Career began mass producing rigid-flex PCBs in the second quarter of this year with a monthly capacity of 8,000m² of multilayer and rigid-flex PCBs.