Taiwan’s passive component materials suppliers are expected to embrace a particularly strong first-half in 2021 thanks to robust demand for notebook, handset, networking and automotive applications, according to industry sources.
Conductive silver and aluminum paste vendor Ample Electronic Technology (AET), tape and reel packaging materials supplier Lasertek Taiwan, Mn-Zn ferrite cores provider ACME Electronics and ceramic substrate maker Leatec Fine Ceramics saw their January-February revenues grow sharply on year on strong shipments to makers of MLCCs, chip resistors and capacitors despite the Lunar New Year holidays in February, the sources said.
Besides serving passive component clients, AET also enlists solar cell makers as major downstream clients. To meet increased demand from both segments, AET will boost its conductive paste capacity by 30% in 2021 by installing new machines and clearing manufacturing bottlenecks at its existing production lines, the sources noted.
AET is developing materials for LTCC components in cooperation with clients and is also likely to start commercial production of new conductive paste for LED packaging and other materials for thermal applications in second-half 2021 or early 2022, the sources said.
Lasertek has seen clear order visibility for its tape and reel packaging materials for passive components through the third quarter of 2021, the sources said. The company will move to expand capacity by 10% for high-end materials at its production lines in Taiwan.
Lasertek is set to raise its quotes by 20% starting April after enforcing 5-6% price hikes on its reel packaging materials in late 2020, to reflect continued price increases in raw materials including pulp,the sources said.