PCB Shortage Deals Blow to Electronics Industry

A global shortage of printed circuit boards (PCBs), driven by the West Asia conflict and surging demand for AI servers, is disrupting the electronics industry. The shortage is affecting the production of telecom equipment, smartphones, automobiles, smart meters, power management systems and electric vehicle components. Rising raw material costs, shipping disruptions and the diversion of critical components to AI infrastructure have significantly strained global PCB supplies.

The shortage comes at a crucial time as India pushes domestic electronics manufacturing under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). Industry leaders say supply disruptions of specialty chemicals, following attacks on a key production facility in Saudi Arabia, have worsened the situation. Manufacturers also remain heavily dependent on imports for copper-clad laminates and photoresists. Experts have called for faster development of domestic manufacturing capacity to reduce supply chain risks and meet growing demand.