BANNOCKBURN, IL – Although North American printed circuit board production decreased 4.3% in 2015 to $2.9 billion, the PCB market grew 1.4% to an estimated $3.4 billion for the year, says IPC.

Growth in the North American PCB market was driven by flexible PCB sales, which increased in double digits from 2014, while rigid PCB sales declined slightly.

IPC used US and Canadian government trade data calculate the value of production less exports plus imports. trade data. The rounded figures used in the calculations for 2015 were $2.06 billion in PCB imports and $1.54 billion in exports. Based on those data, a net $500 million worth of boards were built offshore and brokered or otherwise distributed for consumption in North America in 2015.

The outlook for PCB sales in the coming year is for continued slow growth, with normal seasonal patterns.

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