In the first half of 2024, Taiwan’s PCB industry benefited from strong demand in AI servers, satellite communications, and automotive electronics, as well as a moderate recovery in the mobile phone and memory markets. In the second quarter, the industry’s production value reached NT$190.8 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 12.7%. The total domestic and international production value for the first half of the year amounted to NT$372.2 billion, reflecting an annual increase of 6.0%. Looking ahead to the second half of 2024, with continued development in AI, satellite communications, and automotive markets, growth is expected to continue. The industry is projected to grow by 8.3% for the full year, with total production value reaching NT$833.7 billion, marking a return to the NT$800 billion threshold. However, geopolitical risks, the U.S. presidential election, and economic fluctuations in mainland China may pose challenges to the market.

　　In the second quarter, Taiwan's PCB product market showed growth across the board. After five consecutive quarters of decline, the substrate segment returned to growth in Q2 with a year-on-year increase of 2.6%, mainly due to the recovery in the mobile phone and memory markets. However, demand in the computer and networking infrastructure markets remained weak, affecting the performance of ABF substrates. Multi-layer boards saw strong demand due to AI servers, with a year-on-year growth of 13.0%. HDI driven by AI servers, low-orbit satellites, and automotive electronics, experienced the highest growth in Q2 at 21.2%. Flexible boards and rigid-flex boards also grew by 12.8% and 19.0%, respectively, due to the recovery in the automotive and mobile phone markets.

　　In the second quarter, the communications application market experienced the highest growth at 32.0%, benefiting from the recovery of the mobile phone market and increasing demand for satellite communications. In the mobile phone sector, in addition to the market rebound, entry into the supply chain of Chinese mobile brands provided a significant boost. In satellite communications, as competition among satellite operators intensified, operators released orders, accelerating the doubling of satellite PCB revenue. The computer application market grew by 11.2%, driven by demand for AI servers and the recovery of the general server market. The automotive application market, fueled by the electric vehicle boom, grew by 11.0%. However, the consumer electronics application market was the only declining segment, contracting by 14.0% in Q2 due to economic uncertainty and the impact of high inflation.

　　In the second quarter of 2024, Taiwan's PCB industry's primary production base remained in mainland China, accounting for about 62.0% of the total production value, followed by Taiwan at around 35.2%. Amid geopolitical tensions and the reconfiguration of international clients' supply chain strategies, Taiwanese companies are actively expanding into Southeast Asia, with Thailand becoming a key investment focus. The Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) will host the annual TPCA Show from October 23 to 25, which is set to break records in scale, featuring over 1,600 booths and attracting more than 610 domestic and international brands to Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1. This year's event will focus on topics such as semiconductor packaging, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing, and will also include a special series on Thailand, inviting representatives from Thailand's government, industry, and academia for in-depth exchanges with Taiwan’s PCB industry. This interaction between Taiwan and Thailand will further enhance the resilience and competitiveness of Taiwan's PCB industry in the global market, laying a solid foundation for strengthening the industry's resilience.