The world market for PCBs declined an estimated 2.2% in real terms in 2013, although real growth in North America was positive at 0.8%, according to IPC’s World PCB Production Report for the Year 2013. Developed by a team of the world's leading PCB industry analysts, the annual study is the definitive source of PCB production data, indicating what kinds of PCBs are being made where. World PCB production in 2013 was valued at an estimated $59.4 billion.

    The IPC report contains estimates of 2013 PCB production value by 10 product categories and by 31 countries or sub-regions. PCB values of standard multilayer and integrated circuit (IC) package substrates are segmented by those having microvia structures and those with non-microvia structures. New in this year’s report is a further subdivision of flexible circuits into three sub-categories: One- and two-sided, multilayer, and rigid flex. The report also includes updates on specialty laminates and metal-core PCBs, as well as historical data on regional shifts in PCB production.