Flexible Printed Circuit Board Trends and Forecast
The future of the global flexible printed circuit board (FPC) market looks promising with opportunities in the computer/peripheral, telecommunication, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and aerospace and defense industries. The global flexible printed circuit board (FPC) market is expected to reach an estimated $23 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 3% from 2023 to 2030. The major drivers for this market are increasing demand for FPC in the telecommunication industry, growth in connected devices, and advancement in automotive electronics.
Flex PCBs (Flexible Printed Circuit Boards) are made from flexible polyimide or polyester substrates. For conductive traces, copper is used and attached to the substrate using a bendable glue. Circuitry is shielded from possible damage or grounding by coverlay and solder mask layers, while such as immersion gold coating are utilized for surface finishes that make it more sustainable and improve its ability to be soldered on. Depending on size, complexity, material type and quantity of order flexible printed circuits boards have different costs or prices. Generally speaking, flex PCBs usually cost more than rigid PCBs because of special materials employed as well as processes of fabrication in order to achieve flexibility and durably. However, when compared with other similar interconnections like ribbon cables or rigid-flex PCBs, Flex PCBs can be cost competitive in terms of providing higher reliability, lighter weight and space efficiency advantages.
• Lucintel forecasts that multi-layer will remain the largest technology type due to increasing demand in the automotive and telecommunication industries. The rigid-flex substrate segment is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period due to growing demand for smartphone and display applications.
• Telecommunication will remain the largest end use industry, supported by increasing demand for smartphones, data storage, 5G technology, and network solution sectors. The medical end use market is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period because it will witness increasing demand for portable, wireless, and more complex electronic assemblies.
• Asia Pacific is expected to remain the largest market and witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to increasing ADAS and vehicle safety features in automotive and growth in consumer electronic devices and telecommunication products. Increasing usage of electric vehicles due to growing environmental concerns and regulations is also expected to drive the demand for FPC in this region.
Country wise Outlook for Flexible Printed Circuit Board Market
The flexible printed circuit board market is witnessing substantial growth globally, driven by increased demand from various industries such as computers/peripherals, telecommunication and consumer electronics. Major players in the market are expanding their operations and forming strategic partnerships to strengthen their positions. Below image highlights recent developments by major flexible printed circuit board producers in key regions: the USA, Canada, Germany, China, India, and Japan.
Emerging Trends in the Flexible Printed Circuit Board Market
Emerging trends in the flexible printed circuit board market shaping its future applications and market dynamics:
• Miniaturization: Miniaturization of FPCs to meet the demand for compact devices with more features is expected to drive the market in the near future. Increasing demand for lightweight and portable devices is expected to increase demand for more compact and highly efficient FPCs.
• Speed and Efficiency: The growth of the FPC market is directly related to the growth of the end market. Continuous technological developments in the end market are forcing FPC manufacturers to come up with innovative solutions so that FPCs operate at a faster speed and offer superior performance.
• High Circuit Density: Increase in functionality will drive more components to be installed on the same integrated circuit or the functions may remain the same but the occupied area may get reduced.
• 5G Technology Integration: The rollout of 5G networks is spurring demand for FPCBs capable of handling high-speed data transmission and supporting the increased complexity of 5G-enabled devices. FPCBs play a critical role in antenna systems, signal integrity, and connectivity solutions, facilitating the deployment of faster and more efficient communication networks.
• Rapid Prototyping and Customization: Advances in additive manufacturing (3D printing) and digital fabrication technologies are enabling rapid prototyping and customization of FPCBs. These technologies offer flexibility in design iterations and quick turnaround times, accelerating product development cycles and meeting the demand for tailored solutions in various applications.
A total of 122 figures / charts and 134 tables are provided in this 197-page report to help in your business decisions. Sample figures with insights are shown below.
Recent Development in the Flexible Printed Circuit Board Market
Ongoing innovations and advancements in various sectors of the flexible printed circuit board market which have been highlighted by recent developments:
• Advanced Materials: There is a transition towards use of new inventive materials that have enhanced flexibility, reliability and performance. To satisfy the needs of ever-shrinking and intricate electronic devices, novel substrate materials and conductive materials are being invented.
• Miniaturization and Integration: The FPCBs are getting thinner and lighter, in line with the electronics trend toward miniaturization. Companies are achieving higher densities of circuitry as they shrink their form factors to fit more features into them which is necessary for smartphone, wearables and medical devices applications.
• Flexible Display Technology: As foldable displays continue to gain popularity, FPCBs have played a critical role in enabling these next-gen devices. Advancements in FPCB technology aim to improve circuit durability and flexibility for repeated bending and folding without compromising on performance.
• High-Speed Data Transmission: Currently, there is increasing demand for high data transmission rates capable FPCBs specifically when it comes to 5G communication systems and data intensive applications. This ensures the best possible performance under tough conditions by minimizing signal loss and interference through experimenting with new designs together with materials.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Just like any other sector, the electronics industry has shifted its attention increasingly towards sustainability. Initiatives are taking place to manufacture eco-friendly FPCBs using environmental friendly materials & processes that will reduce environmental impact while maintaining their performance & reliability at optimal levels.
Strategic Growth Opportunities for Flexible Printed Circuit Board Market
The flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) market can anticipate significant strategic growth opportunities through technology improvements, expanding applications across industries and the need for lightweight and small electronic devices.
• Technological Advancements: Continuous innovation of materials, manufacturing processes and design techniques is a major growth driver in FPCB market. In addition to this, advanced materials like polyimide and liquid crystal polymer (LCP) are making FPCBs more flexible, durable, and thermally efficient, which makes them capable of withstanding challenging environments in aerospace, automotive and consumer electronics. Innovations in additive manufacturing (3D printing) also contribute to complex or customized designs of FPCBs accelerating prototyping as well as speed time-to-market for new products.
• Expansion in Consumer Electronics: The industry growth owes to proliferation of smartphones, tablets wearables & IOT devices which all require compact or light weight circuit solutions that can bend or twist without compromising their performance capabilities. Adoption of flexible display technologies such as foldable smart phones as well as curved TVs further underscores significance of FPCBs towards enabling next generation electronic devices.
• Automotive Applications: Particularly in electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving systems & in-vehicle infotainment systems the automotive industry offers attractive prospects for FPCBs. By using FPCBs instead of traditional rigid PCBs important advantages can be achieved including saving space, reducing weight and improving reliability. Like the use in-car electronics becoming more sophisticated interconnected with safety concerns at the back-seat; this means that they play an integral role in delivering cutting-edge functionalities while satisfying strict security guidelines.
• Medical & Healthcare Devices: The flexibility biocompatibility and ability to assume complex shapes have seen an increasing trend where FPCBs are used on medical equipment .Wearable health monitors; medical imaging equipment; implantable devices; these are some examples for our point hereout about how extensively fpcbs have been adopted in medical devices. With growing emphasis on remote patient monitoring and telemedicine, it is expected to increase the demand of FPCBs in healthcare applications.
• Aerospace & Defense: In aerospace and defense applications, FPCBs are essential for lightweight and reliable electronic systems used in aircraft, satellites, and military equipment. The reasons why these sectors prefer FPCBs include high reliability requirements, signal integrity as well as harsh environment resistance.
• Sustainability Initiatives: The shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing practices presents opportunities for FPCB manufacturers to develop recyclable materials and reduce energy consumption in production processes. There are industry initiatives aimed at reducing e-waste besides ensuring durable designs for the lifespan of a product using FPCB materials where they gain more prominence.
Flexible Printed Circuit Board Market Driver and Challenges
Flexible printed circuit board has a very important role in many industries including computers/peripherals, telecommunication, consumer electronics, medical, automotive. The changing market dynamics are being driven by the miniaturization of electronics, the emergence of wearable technology and emerging automotive applications. however, challenges like complex design and manufacturing, challenges of reliability and durability, and cost aspects to sustain the market growth.
The factors responsible for driving the flexible printed circuit board market include:
1. Miniaturization of Electronics: The flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) market is driven by the trend towards smaller, lighter and more compact electronic devices. For example, they help in designing circuits which are bendable and flexible to reduce space taken and accommodate different shapes and sizes that are important in mobiles, wearables and medical instruments.
2. The Emergence of Wearable Technology: Demand for FPCBs has increased due to the popularity of wearable gadgets such as smartwatches, fitness trackers and healthcare monitoring systems. Such gadgets require a flexible and strong circuitry capable of bending frequently while exhibiting good performance.
3. Emerging Automotive Applications: FPCBs are critical components in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment systems, on-vehicle networks among others. Furthermore, the advent of electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technologies necessitates lighter weight and more flexible electronic parts to be integrated into car designs.
4. Advances in Materials & Manufacturing Processes: On-going developments in materials like polyimide as well as liquid crystal polymer (LCP), coupled with improvements made to manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing/3D printing have enhanced capabilities and performances of FPCBs. Thus these new technological advancements offer thermal stability, higher flexibility or resilience meeting high demand from various industries.
5. IoT & Connectivity Solutions: In addition, seamless connectivity between devices is a necessity for the proliferation of internet of things (IoT) devices as well as smart home technologies demanding reliable circuitry that can adjust accordingly. Through these FPCBs ensure effective communications between connected gadgets thus enabling them to work optimally across all sectors.
Challenges facing the flexible printed circuit board market are:
1. Complex Design and Manufacturing: Designing and manufacturing FPCBs with complex geometries and fine pitch components can be extremely challenging to say the least. Precise alignment, soldering, and assembly processes need specialized equipment and expertise, which may lead to high production costs or elongate delivery periods.
2. Challenges of Reliability and Durability: One big challenge that must be overcome is how to ensure that a flex circuit board (FCB) can last for an extended period within applications when subjected to repeated bending, twisting or environmental stressors. A product’s mechanical strain resistance together with its ability to maintain electrical integrity while moving must be optimized through careful material selection and design considerations throughout its lifecycle.
3. Cost Aspects: Despite improvements in cost efficiency in FPCB manufacturing, achieving competitive pricing is still problematic especially for highly dense as well as customized designs. To remain competitive in the market, cheap solutions balancing performance against affordability are critical.
4. Establishing Regulatory Standards-Oriented Quality Assurance for Flexible Printed Circuit Boards (FPCBs): Standardization is imperative in the flex PCB market because it reduces variability making products more reliable across different manufacturers/suppliers. Robust testing protocols and certification are necessary due to differences in material properties, fabrication techniques used during manufacture as well as variations in assembly processes which could affect product performance or reliability.
The flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) market is integral to numerous industries, including computing, telecommunications, consumer electronics, medical, and automotive. Driven by key factors such as the miniaturization of electronics, the rise of wearable technology, and emerging automotive applications, the demand for FPCBs is rapidly growing. Their ability to accommodate compact, lightweight, and flexible designs makes them essential in modern electronics, enhancing performance across diverse applications.
Flexible Printed Circuit Board Suppliers and Their Market Share
The market for flexible printed circuit board is highly competitive, with several key players such as Zhen Ding Technology Holding Limited (ZDT), NOK Corporation, Sumitomo Electric, Flexium Interconnect Inc., Fujikura Ltd. have established their presence in the market and hold a significant market share. To know the current market share of each of major players Contact Us. Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies flexible printed circuit board companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. flexible printed circuit board companies profiled in this report includes.
• Zhen Ding Technology Holding Limited (ZDT)
• NOK Corporation
• Sumitomo Electric
• Flexium Interconnect Inc.
• Fujikura Ltd.
These companies have established themselves as leaders in the flexible printed circuit board industry, with extensive product portfolios, global presence, and strong research and development capabilities. They continually strive to enhance their market positions through strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and product innovations.
The market share dynamics within the flexible printed circuit board market are evolving, with the entry of new players and the emergence of innovative flexible printed circuit board. Additionally, collaborations between material suppliers, manufacturers, and end-users are fostering technological advancements and expanding market opportunities.
Flexible Printed Circuit Board by Segment
Major segments of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) market are witnessing strong growth. To begin with, consumer electronics are a key one because smartphones, tablets, and wearables need small and light circuitry. The other reason for this is the ongoing adoption of wearable technology such as fitness trackers and smartwatches that greatly increase FPCBs designed to be flexible and tough. In addition to this, automotive electronics is another growing segment, especially in EVs and autonomous driving systems where FPCBs play a crucial role in sophisticated vehicle connectivity as well as control systems. Otherwise, medical devices are increasingly using FPCBs due to their configurable nature and compatibility with human body for example medical implants or diagnostic equipment.
This flexible printed circuit board market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market's current trends, growth drivers, challenges, and future prospects in all major segments like above. It covers various segments, including flexible printed circuit board end use industry, technology, laminate material type, and raw material usage. The report offers insights into regional dynamics, highlighting the major markets for flexible printed circuit board and their growth potentials. The study includes trends and forecast for the global flexible printed circuit board (FPC) market by end use industry, technology, laminate material type, and raw material usage, and region as follows:
By End Use Industry [$M and M Sqm analysis for 2018 – 2030]:
• Computers/Peripherals
• Telecommunications
• Consumer Electronics
• Medical
• Automotive
• Aerospace and Defense
• Others
By Technology [$M and M Sqm analysis for 2018 – 2030]:
• Single Layer
• Double Layer
• Multi- Layer
• Rigid-Flex
By Laminate Material Type [$M and M Sqm analysis for 2018 – 2030]:
• Polyimide
• Polyester and Others
By Raw Material Usage [$M and M Sqm analysis for 2018 – 2030]:
• Polyimide Films
• Polyester and Other Films
By Region [$M and M Sqm shipment analysis for 2018 – 2030]:
• North America
o United States
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o Germany
o France
o UK
• Asia Pacific
o China
o Japan
o South Korea
o India
o Taiwan
• Rest of the World
Features of Flexible Printed Circuit Board Market
• Market Size Estimates: Flexible printed circuit board market size estimation in terms of value ($M) and volume (million square meter)
• Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2018-2023) and forecast (2024-2030) by various segments and regions.
• Segmentation Analysis: Flexible printed circuit board market size by various segments, such as end use industry, technology, laminate material type, and raw material usage, in terms of value and volume.
• Regional Analysis: Flexible printed circuit board market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.
• Growth Opportunities: Analysis on growth opportunities in various end use industries, technologies, laminate material types, and raw material usages, and regions, for the flexible printed circuit board market.
• Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape for the flexible printed circuit board market.
• Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
If you are looking to expand your business in flexible printed circuit board or adjacent markets, then contact us. We have done hundreds of strategic consulting projects in market entry, opportunity screening, due diligence, supply chain analysis, M & A, and more.
FAQ
Q1. What is the flexible printed circuit board market size?
Answer: The global flexible printed circuit board market is expected to reach an estimated $23 billion by 2030.
Q2. What is the growth forecast for flexible printed circuit board market?
Answer: The flexible printed circuit board market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3% from 2024 to 2030.
Q3. What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the flexible printed circuit board market?
Answer: The major drivers for this market are increasing demand for FPC in the telecommunication industry, growth in connected devices, and advancement in automotive electronics.
Q4. What are the major applications or end use industries for flexible printed circuit board?
Answer: Telecommunication and computer ad peripherals are the major end use industries for flexible printed circuit board market.
Q5. What are the emerging trends in flexible printed circuit board market?
Answer: Emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the industry, include miniaturization of electronic devices and growing demand for low loss/high speed PCBs.
Q6. Who are the key flexible printed circuit board companies?
Answer: Some of the key flexible printed circuit board companies are as follows:
• Zhen Ding Technology Holding Limited (ZDT)
• NOK Corporation
• Sumitomo Electric
• Flexium Interconnect Inc.
• Fujikura Ltd.
Q7.Which flexible printed circuit board technology segment will be the largest in future?
Answer: Lucintel forecasts that multi-layer will remain the largest technology type due to increasing demand in the automotive and telecommunication industries. The rigid-flex substrate segment is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period due to growing demand for smartphone and display applications.
Q8: In flexible printed circuit board market, which region is expected to be the largest in next 5 years?
Answer: Asia Pacific is expected to remain the largest region and witness the highest growth over next 5 years.
Q9. Do we receive customization in this report?
Answer: Yes, Lucintel provides 10% Customization Without any Additional Cost.
This report answers following 11 key questions
Q.1 What are some of the most promising potential, high-growth opportunities for the global FPC market by end use industry (computers/peripherals, telecommunication, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, aerospace and defense, and others), technology (single layer, double layer, multi-layer and rigid flex), laminate material type (polyimide and polyester & others), laminate raw material usage (polyimide films and polyester & other films), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?
Q.2 Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.3 Which regions will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.4 What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers and challenges of the market?
Q.5 What are the business risks and threats to the market?
Q.6 What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
Q.7 What are some changing demands of customers in the market?
Q.8 What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
Q.9 Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are being implemented by key players for business growth?
Q.10 What are some of the competitive products and processes in this area and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share via material or product substitution?
Q.11 What M & A activities did take place in the last five years in this market?
For any questions related to flexible printed circuit board market or related to flexible printed circuit board market share, flexible printed circuit board market analysis, and flexible printed circuit board market size, write to Lucintel analysts at helpdesk@lucintel.com. We will be glad to get back to you soon.