The US trade sanctions on Huawei are expected to hit consumer confidence further, sending memory chipmakers bracing for weak shipments in second-half 2020. Despite the US-China trade rows and the coronavirus pandemic, Taiwan's PCB production managed to record a 3.4% onyear growth in sales value in second-quarter 2020, thanks to makers' shipments for high-end applications. And Taiwanese PCB makers are keen on developing applications for niche market segments, with the satellite sector being a promising one for them.
Memory shipments likely to disappoint in 2H20: DRAM and NAND flash shipments are likely to disappoint in the second half of 2020, due to weakening demand for Huawei smartphones, as well as shipments for notebooks hit by several component shortages, according to industry sources.
Taiwan PCB output value up 3.4% in 1H20 despite headwinds: Taiwan's PCB industry recorded production of NT$298.1 billion (US$10.15 billion) in the first half of 2020, growing 3.4% on year despite impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and US-China trade tensions, according to data compiled by Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA).
Taiwan PCB makers eyeing satellite applications: Taiwan PCB makers are eyeing new business opportunities associated with low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, especially those for ground supporting equipment, in the wake of SpaceX successfully launching over 600 Starlink internet satellites into the orbit, according to industry sources.