BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, August 23, 2011 ― Worldwide production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) grew by 19 percent over 2009 to nearly $55 billion, according to the World PCB Production Report for the Year 2010, recently released by IPC ― Association Connecting Electronics Industries. Published annually, the report offers consensus estimates of PCB production value by country and by product category, and analysis on global and regional PCB industry trends. This years report includes special sections on trends in the HDI/microvia and metal-core PCB markets. Approximately 2,600 PCB fabricators produced an estimated $54.772 billion (U.S.) in 2010. PCB production grew in all regions in 2010 as the industry recovered from the recession. Production grew by 6.9 percent in North America, 14.4 percent in Europe and 21.1 percent in Asia, increasing Asias share of world PCB production to 87 percent. Rigid-flex was the highest growth category. Metal-core PCBs, while less than one percent of world PCB production, was the second fastest growing category in 2010. World PCB Production Report for the Year 2010 was developed by the World Market Consensus Committee, comprising the worlds leading analysts in the electronic interconnection industry. Using a consensus process, committee members pool their own information and review data from other sources to produce this annual report. The committee members include Michael Gasch of Data4PCB, Mark Hutton of BPA Consulting Ltd., Harvey Miller of Fabfile Online, Hayao Nakahara of N.T. Information Ltd. and Phil Plonski of Prismark Partners. The report is available only to IPC members free of charge and can be accessed at www.ipc.org/World-Report-2010. Nonmembers may purchase the report for $1,050 and receive a one-year facility membership in IPC, which includes many other member benefits. To purchase the report, visit www.ipc.org/2010-World-Report. Information on IPC membership is available at www.ipc.org/membership. For more information on the World PCB Production Report for the Year 2010 or other IPC market research studies and reports, contact Sharon Starr, IPC director of market research, at +1 847-597-2817 or SharonStarr@ipc.org. About IPC IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global trade association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 3,000 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $1.85 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore, India; and Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing, China.
