News and market studies
Concise analyses to understand developments in materials, production capacity, availability and regulatory requirements in the printed circuit board industry.
European PCB market: planning materials and capacity
High-reliability European applications — industrial, medical, aerospace, defence, energy and communications — make supply continuity, advance qualification and design flexibility increasingly important.
Raw materials and planning
Laminates, copper, glass fabrics, resin systems and carbide can vary in cost, availability and lead time. For critical items, it is useful to share forecasts, define appropriate stock levels and qualify alternatives before they become urgent.
Designing for flexibility
A bill of materials that depends on a single reference increases operational risk. A DFM approach makes it possible to assess alternatives while preserving electrical, thermal, mechanical and manufacturing requirements.
Two signals to monitor
PFAS: assessment still under way
ECHA scientific committees have supported European action with targeted derogations. However, the procedure does not amount to a final restriction already adopted: official updates should be monitored and affected materials discussed with suppliers.
Consolidation of European capacity
On 17 June 2026, TTM Technologies announced agreements, subject to the required approvals, to acquire Swiss Technology Group AG and ILFA GmbH. The transaction signals interest in specialised European PCB capacity.
What a PCB manufacturer can assess
Forecasts
Share requirements and critical items sufficiently in advance.
Qualified alternatives
Validate technical equivalence before availability becomes urgent.
Process cost
Assess yield, stability and service life, not just unit price.
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