Taiwan - Following a slowdown in on-year printed circuit board (PCB) industry growth in 2007, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) expects industry growth to be flat in 2008, with slow improvement in 2009 and 2010.

During a recent electronics component forum, the ITRI estimated that the global on-year production growth of the PCB industry will decrease from 7% in 2006, to 3% in 2007, remaining flat at 3% in 2008.

The slowdown in 2007 was due to sluggish demand the first half of the year, and although market conditions improved in the second half of 2007, demand from notebook manufacturers is expected to have only a limited contribution to the industry as the sector picks up in the fourth quarter, the organization noted.

Low consumption due to the sub-prime problems in North America, along with the absence of a "killer application" will constrain PCB demand growth in 2008, ITRI projected.

For a longer-term outlook, the organization indicated that slow improvement should be seen during 2009-2010, with an average growth rate expected to be approximately 5% over the two years due to an anticipated demand for low-cost electronics.