The bankruptcy filing in the fourth quarter of 2008 by Japan-based flexible PCB (FPCB) player Maruwa, and ongoing profit shrinkage by Japan’s two remaining players Nippon Mektron and Fujikura due to exchange rate losses, are expected to help stabilize FPCB supply and ASPs, according to Taiwan FPCB makers.

Maruwa’s average annual sales were 10 billion yen (US$108.08 million), equivalent to an approximate 1% global market share.

Two Japan-based FPCB players, Asanta Light Metal and a subsidiary of Toyobo, have already closed down operations since 2006, due to fierce competition, and the depreciation of the Japanese yen as seen from the second half of 2008 has also had a significant impact on Japan-based players. Profits at Nippon and Fujikura have seen sharp declines, and their share prices have dropped almost 75% during the last six months.

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