Taiwan-based PCB makers, in response to price hikes by CCL (copper-clad laminate) suppliers, have raised quotes to reflect increased costs, according to industry sources.

China-based CCL maker Kingboard Laminates Holdings took the initiative to hike prices due to continual hikes in copper foil price, the sources said. Prices for copper foil have significantly risen because makers have increased supply of more profitable copper foil used to produce lithium batteries for use in electric vehicles in the China market, the sources noted.

In response to hikes in PCB pricing, DIY motherboard makers plan to keep prices unchanged for existing models but increase prices by about 5% for new models equipped with new Intel and AMD chipsets to be launched in January 2017, the sources indicated.

PCB price hikes have increased costs for PC and smartphone vendors. In addition, these vendors have faced price hikes for display panels, DRAM and hard disks arising from tight supply. Consequently, these vendors have hiked sales prices for high-end models only and will increase prices for all new models launched in first-quarter 2017.