PCBs

India’s PCB industry has grown and modernized to meet the changing needs of its domestic as well as international customers. The country produces various types—single-sided (SS), double-sided (DS), multilayer (ML) and flexible PCBs. Single-sided and double-sided PCBs account for about 50 percent of India’s total production as the primary demand drivers for these types of PCBs are the consumer electronics, automotive and home appliance industries. “Single-sided and double-sided PCBs are in heavy demand and most makers produce both types of PCBs,” says Dinesh Sharma, manager of Circuit Systems India (CSIL).



The entry of leading contract manufacturers in India such as Solectron Centum, Elcoteq, Celestica, Flextronics, Jabil Circuit, among others has given a fillip to the PCB industry. Furthermore, their high manufacturing standards are driving product innovation and forcing PCB makers to improve the quality of their products. Makers reveal that they plan to move up the value chain of PCB production by setting up production lines for Rigid-Flex as well as 16- and 20-layer PCBs.







“PCB manufacturing in India is increasing in a big way and a yearly turnover of about $450 million in another three years is expected,” says M. Thiyagarajan, vice president of The Indian Printed Circuit Association (IPCA). Industry figures estimate that total production will increase to 21 million square meters in 2005 from over 15 million square meters in 2004, and eventually reach around 50 million square meters by the end of 2008.







Increasing demand is also spurring makers to invest heavily to improve their infrastructure. A case in point is Gujarat Narmada Fertilizer Corporation (GNFC). The PCB maker has seen production double from 50,000 square meters to 100,000 square meters. Ability Components India has also seen big demand for its PCBs. “Our installed capacity is 30,000 to 35,000 square meters annually and we are utilizing 80 percent of the capacity,” says Amit Agarwal, proprietor of Ability Components.




Multilayer PCBs see Hot Growth

Multilayer PCB manufacturing is the fastest growing market for local manufacturers and currently account for about 20 percent of the total production of PCBs in the country. There are 10 manufacturers producing boards of up to 12 layers while the majority of Indian companies p roduce 8-layer types. Most makers are increasing their capacity and utilizing 100 percent capacity. “Multilayer PCBs are being used in many applications,” says Sharad Srivastava, director, Genius Technologies. Some of the makers producing multilayer PCBs include Ability Components India, Advanced Micronic Devices, Allied Systems and Sales Corporation, BCC Fuba India, Bharat Electronics, CSIL, and Fine Tracks Ltd.



Although the demand for multilayer PCBs is predictable, it is difficult to predict demand for flexible PCBs, according to Vaidraj Kulkarni, general manager, Sulakshan Circuit. “My estimate is that demand should go up by 10 percent per year,” he says, adding, “The approximate capacity will be 7500 square meters for flexible PCBs.”



“Flexible PCBs are not much in demand because it is limited to some printers and com-munications equipment—of which there are only a handful of makers in the country,” says IPCA’s Thiyagarajan. Despite the limited demand for flexible PCBs, some companies continue to make sizeable investments in the hope that demand will pick up.







In a bid to bag export orders, makers are focusing on quality and upgrading their technology. “Manufacturers are upgrading their technology to offer high quality PCBs and compete in the international market,” says Thiyagarajan. He adds that many local companies are studying trends in the international market in an effort to specialize and produce customized products. “Around 30 percent of the total production is being exported,” he says. In a limited way, according to him, Indian makers are exporting to the Far East but more to Europe and the US.



Karan Dogra, executive-research & database, Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA), concurs. “Single-sided, doublesided and multilayer PCBs are exported to Europe, the US and ASEAN countries.”



Imported PCBs from China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan are also available in the Indian market with those from China being cheaper than locally produced PCBs by 15 to 20 percent. But in terms of the quality of both, it is another issue.

“Quality-wise Indian PCBs are better than the Chinese,” claims IPCA’s Thiyagarajan. And while manufacturers from Korea, Japan and Taiwan focus on high-end 16-layer and above boards, Indian companies assert they can quickly adapt to their customers demands.