SUZHOU, JIANGSU, CHINA -- Global shortages of copper foil are starting to impact the printed circuit board supply chain, a leading material vendor said this week. Moreover, an end to the supply constraint is not expected for at least a year, added Ventec chief operating officer Mark Goodwin.

Copper supplies are under pressure due to its use in lithium and car batteries, especially for electric vehicles. London Metals Exchange prices are up 25% over the past year. The situation has led Ventec to estimate capacity for copper foil for laminate is meeting just half current global demand. 

"With predicted triple-figure growth rates, it is no surprise that available copper stock is being prioritized for these lucrative products. And copper mines are struggling to keep up with the growing demand - so here we are now with a global shortage of material and a serious situation that forces change," Ventec said in its monthly newsletter.

"Our market assessment is that the copper foil shortage has resulted in approximately a 2.8 million sheets per month copper-clad laminate global material shortage," said Goodwin. "This is approximately two times the total rigid demand of the USA and Europe combined.

"We expect the situation to last at least until the middle/end of 2018," he added.

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