CCL Manufacturers May Raise Prices Again by 10-15%; PCB Firms Highlight Demand Impact from 'Long-Short Component' Issue

Foreign analysts have released a new report on Taiwan's copper-clad laminate (CCL) industry, suggesting that CCL manufacturers may implement a second round of price adjustments by the end of the third quarter, with an expected increase of approximately 10–15%. A senior executive at a major CCL manufacturer stated today (20th) that, due to significant price fluctuations in raw materials such as glass fabric and copper foil, they cannot rule out raising CCL product prices in the second half of the year. However, PCB manufacturers on the demand side point out that the current market is facing increasingly severe 'long-short component' supply imbalances, negatively impacting demand, and this trend must not be overlooked.

The CCL executive emphasized that even if prices are raised, it will not be a sudden, across-the-board hike. Instead, pricing will be negotiated individually with customers based on specific product models and order volumes. Moreover, the extent of any price adjustment will depend on fluctuations in the prices of raw materials such as glass fabric and copper foil.

The foreign report attributes the anticipated CCL price increases to stronger demand from AI-related clients for high-quality CCL supplies. However, for full-process PCB manufacturers, this comes shortly after they had already adjusted their output prices in Q2 to reflect earlier raw material cost fluctuations. Now, with upstream material prices rising again, these manufacturers face difficult negotiations—especially since their customers, particularly in the automotive sector, are highly price-sensitive. Revising recently agreed-upon pricing terms is proving extremely challenging.

Regarding the PCB market’s supply-demand dynamics, a PCB executive noted that while EMS firms’ ordering activity remains normal, their pickup rates have slowed since June. This is due to component supply mismatches—known as 'long-short components'—during the assembly process, which are delaying overall EMS operations. With no signs of improvement in sight, if demand weakens further, it will be difficult to pass on raw material cost increases immediately.

Furthermore, amid the ongoing 'long-short component' situation, major PCB manufacturers are strictly managing customers’ pickup schedules and slowing down new order acceptance.