BANNOCKBURN, IL — The world market for PCBs declined an estimated 2.2% in real terms in 2013, although North America grew 0.8%, according to IPC.

World PCB production in 2013 was valued at an estimated $59.4 billion, the trade group added.

Sales of flexible circuits worldwide grew in 2013, while the rigid PCB market declined.

Geographically, China remained the largest PCB producing nation, although its production growth slowed. Japan fell to fourth place from second in the list of top 10 PCB-producing countries. Thailand and Vietnam experienced the highest growth in PCB production.

Onshoring is not a significant trend in the bare board market, IPC said.

“Despite evidence of a small onshoring trend in North America and Europe, most large companies still produce a substantial share of their PCBs off-shore,” said Sharon Starr, IPC director of market research. "Companies based in Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, for example, are responsible for nearly two-thirds of world PCB production. US companies account for about 10% of world PCB production, although the United States has less than a 5% share of world production within its borders."

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