Flexible Print Circuits (FPC), TAB, Flexible Copper-Clad Laminate (FCCL), Insulator Films, and Copper Foils (Sheets)

Manufacturers

I   Flexible Copper-Clad Laminate (FCCL) and Peripheral Market Trends

1. Flexible Print Circuit (FPC) Market Trends
2. TAB Market Trends
3. Flexible Copper-Clad Laminate (FCCL) Market Trends
4. Current Status and Future Perspectives of FCCL and Related Materials Markets

II   Flexible Print Circuit (FPC) Market Trends

1. Flexible Print Circuit (FPC) Market Trends

• Users who introduced ORIGAMI FPC for smartphones are on the rise
• As one of new growing applications, attention to wearable devices has been improving
• Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese FPC makers are developing MASP and refined FPC, in additio to semi-additve method
• Chinese FPC makers are pursuing refinement of wiring using subtractive method

2. TAB Market (TCP/COF)

• 　　COF (Chip On Film) market kept on growing in FY2012 and beyond, but the market in FY2015 shrank to 3,660 million units.
• The market is likely to recover in FY2016 to the level of FY2012
• TAB market has been dominated by Korean makers, LGI and STEMCO, accounting for 74.6% altogether.
• COF market has expanded by the needs of 4K TVs to be higher quality in images and larger in size
• 2 metal COF has been introduced to Flexible-OLED-installed smartphones
• COF needs new applications to generated, like for OLED-TV, smartphones mounted with flexible OLED, and etc.
• Volume zones of COF Circuit Pitches are likely to be 23μm and 25μm.
• 20μm-circuit pitches by means of semi-additive method have been adopted for COF

Trends of Market Players (13 enterprises)

III   Flexible Copper-Clad Laminate (FCCL) Market Trends

1. FCCL Manufacturers in Japan

• Key for the next growth may be the development toward automobiles and radiofrequency/high speed transmission

2. FCCL Manufacturers in South Korea
3. FCCL Manufacturers in Taiwan
4. FCCL Manufacturers in China

• Full-scale mass production of 2-layer FCCL has begun, due to the shift of demands from 3-layer FCCL to 2-layer.
• Expanding exports by Chinese smartphone makers and increasing demands of 2-layer FCCL, sales of 2-layer FCCL in China are on the rise
• There are concerns over lowering prices of 2-layer FCCL stemming from excessive capital investments
• Most of Chinese 2-layer FCCL are double-sided laminate type.
• Leading FCCL makers in China have been eager to develop new products and application, and to promote sales of such products

Trends of Market Players (17 enterprises)

IV   Insulator Film Market Trends

• Improvement needed in profitability by enhancement of cost competitiveness and generation of new demands
• Expansion of the graphite-sheet market has raised SKC KOLON PI to be the largest maker based on the weight
• The largest sales based on square measure have been competed between Kaneka and SKC KOLON PI. 
• The PI film market has been boosted by those for FPC and also for graphite sheets
• PI application development other than films are also noteworthy.
• Trends of Market Players (4 enterprises)

V   Copper Foil (Sheet) Market Trends

• Trends of Market Players (8 enterprises)