MONTREAL -- Electronics manufacturing in the US, Japan and Western Europe accounted for less than half the worldwide output for the first time in 2006 as the migration of volume manufacturing to low labor rate locations continues, according to a new report.

Although the Asia-Pacific, and China in particular, has been the main beneficiary, Central and Eastern Europe, Mexico and Brazil have also benefited from significant investment, Electronics.ca Publications found. In the longer-term, Many of today's low-cost locations will also offer significant market opportunities, creating the need for further investment in local manufacturing. 

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 LIMERICK, IRELAND – The deadline is approaching to register for iNEMI’s European workshop for the 2009 Roadmap, scheduled for June 18 at IMEC in Leuven, Belgium. The European workshop is the second of three being held worldwide to solicit industry input and feedback. (The third is scheduled for July 28, in Shanghai.)

iNEMI (International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative) is an industry-led consortium and its roadmap, published every two years, is a key part of the organization’s strategy for identifying and closing technology and infrastructure gaps within the electronics manufacturing supply chain. The iNEMI roadmap has become recognized as an important tool for defining the state-of-the-art in the electronics industry as well as identifying emerging and disruptive technologies. It helps set priorities for research and development over the next 10 years, and is not only used by industry but also by government agencies that fund technology R&D and university-based research programs.

The workshops give participants an “in-progress” look at information from drafts of key roadmap chapters. They also allow industry to provide important input and feedback, making sure that the final roadmap addresses global issues and areas of concern.

While many industry roadmaps focus on one particular segment or technology area, such as semiconductors or substrates, the iNEMI roadmap takes a system approach and covers the many technologies and infrastructure areas required for electronics manufacturing. The 2009 Roadmap will cover five product sectors and 22 technology and business process areas.

The European workshop will include the following topics:
· Medical product sector.
· Portable/consumer product sector.
· Environmentally conscious electronics.
· Solid state illumination and photovoltaics (new in the 2009 Roadmap).
· Organic and printed electronics.
· Board assembly.
· Final assembly.
· Interconnect substrates – organic and ceramic.
· Packaging.

The registration fee is $300 (waived for iNEMI members, workshop speakers and government officials). This fee covers participation in the workshop, including a continental breakfast, lunch, and a copy of the 2009 iNEMI Roadmap CD when published in March 2009.

The registration deadline for the European workshop is June 12. For additional information about, or to register for, the workshop, click here.

 
 

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA – A new ASTM International standard details methods for complying with the EU’s REACH rules.
 
ASTM F2725, Standard Guide for European Union’s Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals Supply Chain Information Exchange, provides step-by-step instruction throughout the inventory process, including planning and processing orders; handling; and transporting and storing of all materials purchased, processed or distributed among players on the chain to fulfill compliance requirements.
 
The standard also includes case studies to show the process of exchanging data for three representative scenarios.
 
REACH, an acronym for Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, outlines mandatory regulatory systems for companies doing business in Europe.