Changjiang Securities·2025-08-04 12:20Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the PCB industry [3][11]. Core Insights - The PCB industry is experiencing growth driven by strong demand from AI applications and technological upgrades, leading to increased capital expenditures in downstream sectors [8][21]. - The global PCB market is expected to see differentiated growth across product segments, with high-density interconnect (HDI) boards benefiting from AI server demand, projected to grow by 18.8% year-on-year to reach $12.5 billion in 2024 [11][12]. - The report highlights a trend towards high-density, high-performance PCB products, with the combined market share of HDI and packaging substrates exceeding 34% [11][12]. Summary by Sections PCB Product Overview - PCB products are categorized into rigid boards, flexible boards, rigid-flex boards, and packaging substrates, with HDI boards widely used in consumer electronics and high-frequency boards for 5G communication [8][9]. Market Segmentation and Growth - In 2024, the global PCB market is projected to reach $73.57 billion, with multilayer boards holding the largest share at 38.1% [11][12]. - The smartphone sector accounts for 19% of the PCB market, with a projected value of $13.89 billion, while the server/storage sector is expected to grow by 33.1% year-on-year to $10.92 billion [15][16]. Regional Market Dynamics - China is expected to dominate the PCB market, with its share increasing from 54.4% in 2023 to 56.0% in 2024, reflecting its significant role in global PCB production [22][23]. Technological Advancements - The report emphasizes the need for PCB manufacturers to adapt to higher complexity and performance requirements driven by AI and high-speed networking, necessitating advancements in design and manufacturing processes [21][24]. Equipment and Supply Chain - The report outlines the production processes and key equipment used in PCB manufacturing, highlighting the importance of drilling equipment, which holds the highest market share in the PCB production process [31][34]. - The global drilling equipment market is projected to grow from $1.17 billion in 2020 to $1.47 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% expected from 2024 to 2029 [38][43]. Market Trends and Future Outlook - The PCB industry is expected to continue evolving with the increasing demand for high-density and high-layer count boards, particularly in AI server applications, which are pushing the boundaries of PCB technology [27][28].