Changjiang Securities·2025-07-18 14:07Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive investment outlook for the PCB industry, driven by the accelerating demand for AI and high-speed network infrastructure [6][7][37]. Core Insights - The rise of AI is identified as a core driver of the current electronic innovation cycle, with significant implications for hardware demand, particularly in the PCB sector [6][18]. - The report highlights the need for PCBs to evolve towards high complexity, high performance, and HDI (High-Density Interconnector) designs to meet the stringent requirements of AI applications and high-speed data transmission [6][7][37]. - The demand for AI servers is expected to grow significantly, with projections indicating that AI server revenue could reach approximately $205 billion in 2024, contributing to over 70% of overall server revenue by 2025 [20][24]. Summary by Sections AI Demand and Hardware Benefits - The report emphasizes that AI's emergence is reshaping technology innovation and driving explosive growth in new application scenarios [6][18]. - Major cloud service providers are increasing capital expenditures for data center expansions and AI server deployments, confirming the growth trend in AI servers [31][37]. PCB Industry Growth - The PCB industry is expected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 40.2% from 2023 to 2028, driven by AI server and HPC-related products [47]. - The report suggests focusing on two growth directions for PCBs: HDI technology and orthogonal backplane solutions, which are crucial for high-density computing clusters [7][53]. CCL and Material Upgrades - The demand for high-frequency and low-loss CCL (Copper Clad Laminate) materials is increasing, driven by the need for high-speed applications [8][72]. - The report notes that the transition to high-frequency applications is pushing CCL manufacturers to upgrade their materials to meet stringent performance standards [72][74]. Specialty Fiberglass and Resin Developments - The report highlights the accelerating domestic substitution of specialty fiberglass, driven by the high demand for Low-dK and Low CTE materials in AI applications [9][10]. - High-frequency and low-loss resin systems are becoming essential as traditional materials fail to meet the advanced requirements of AI applications [10][11]. Copper Foil Market Trends - The copper foil industry is experiencing a clear trend towards high-end products, with HVLP (High-Voltage Low-Power) copper foil expected to contribute significantly to profits [11][12]. - The report indicates that the market for copper foil is dominated by a few key players, creating opportunities for domestic manufacturers to capture market share [11][12]. Investment Opportunities - The report advises investors to focus on companies that are well-positioned in the high-end PCB market, as demand is expected to surge from 2025 onwards, providing a stable growth foundation for these companies [50][52].