TAIPEI -- Three larger flex circuit fabricators expect December revenues to fall sequentially but still see exceptional fourth-quarter results, DigiTimes is reporting.

Career Technology, Flexium Interconnect and Zhen Ding expect December sales will be slower, the media outlet said, citing market observers but each firm will see overall quarterly revenues rise 20 to 50% sequentially on higher demand for smartphones. All three supply boards to Apple for the iPhone 5.

Flexium's and Zhen Ding's November revenues were company highs.

Zhen Ding is the name of Foxconn's printed circuit board subsidiary.

TURTLE LAKE, WI – A hydrochloric acid spill led to the evacuation of 60 people at Sanmina's plant here last week, according to local officials.

WASHINGTON -- Even as top chemical manufacturers are phasing out production of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants, the US EPA has slowed its drive to ban the toxic chemicals in response to intense lobbying from multiple fronts, including the Pentagon.

SHANGHAI – Scientists at the East China University here say printed circuit boards in landfills and electronic waste recycling sites are a “significant emission source” of brominated flame retardants (BFRs).