As artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) lead a new industrial revolution in the PCB sector, Taiwanese giants Zhen Ding Tech (ZDT) and Unimicron are optimistic about market prospects in 2026. They expect demand from AI data center infrastructure and edge AI devices to drive significant growth across IC substrates, HDI, HLC, and flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Tongtai and Contrel are focusing on the convergence of semiconductors and PCBs in advanced TGV packaging. Taiwanese companies aim to lead in this area, as Tongtai seeks profitability amid strong orders and automation demand.

As Nvidia's next-gen AI server platform enters mass production, cloud service providers (CSPs) continue advancing their in-house ASIC development plans, sustaining robust demand for AI data center infrastructure. The supply chain expects this momentum to further boost Taiwan's PCB manufacturing output growth in 2025.

The 26th Taiwan Printed Circuit Association Show (TPCA Show 2025) officially opened on October 22, 2025. During the event, Unimicron chairman Tzyy-Jang Tseng delivered a keynote speech emphasizing that AI technology is driving Taiwan's PCB industry into a new industrial revolution characterized by high density, multilayer structures, large sizes, and advanced material specifications. Tseng forecasts that over the next five years, demand will surge in AI servers and aerospace applications, with AI servers serving as the primary growth engine.

Samsung Electronics will reportedly equip its next-generation Galaxy flagship series with its own flagship mobile SoC platform, the Exynos 2600, resuming a shared chip supply with Qualcomm. This shift is largely due to Samsung's latest 2nm GAA process, which has finally demonstrated acceptable manufacturing results.

Driven by next-generation AI chip mass production and seasonal demand for consumer electronics, Taiwan's test interface suppliers reported steady growth in September 2025. Industry players expect momentum to persist as AI and high-performance computing (HPC) orders increase, positioning the fourth quarter of 2025 as a potential full-year high.

Taiwan-based Ventec International Group, a niche copper-clad laminate (CCL) supplier, unveils its latest material innovations for manufacturing AI server printed wiring boards (PWBs) at the 2025 TPCA Show, held October 22–24 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

In 2024, AI drove Taiwan's semiconductor output to surpass NT$5 trillion (approx. US$162.9 billion). It is expected to grow another 20% in 2025 to reach NT$6.3 trillion. Additionally, eighteen wafer fabs are scheduled to begin construction, with operations starting successively from 2026 to 2027. All eyes remain on TSMC's fabs. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) estimates that by 2028, Taiwan's semiconductor output could reach NT$8 trillion.

The Global Electronics Association (GEA) participated as a co-organizer in the 2025 International Microsystems, Packaging, Assembly, and Circuits Technology (IMPACT) Conference, hosting a special forum, "Component to System-Level Integration." The session brought together leading companies, including AMD, ASE Group, Kinsus, and Wistron, to discuss the development and standardization needs of advanced packaging technologies in the AI era.

As Nvidia boldly announces the arrival of 800V high-voltage power supplies for AI servers, nearly all leading power semiconductor players have joined its supply chain. The industry is closely watching whether their technologies and solutions can meet the practical demands of future AI servers.

Eclat Forever Machinery (EFM), a Taiwan-based maker of advanced IC substrate equipment, told investors it expects stronger performance in 2026 than in 2025. Chairman Chou Cheng-chun said demand from major AI server chipmakers remains strong, driving Taiwan’s IC substrate leaders to commit billions of New Taiwan dollars to capacity expansion. Combined with EFM’s push to diversify its product portfolio, the company expects steady growth momentum ahead.

Demand for hot swap power supply in servers is increasing as AI data centers proliferate. Potens Semiconductor Chairman Hsiang-Chi Meng stated that in addition to continuing its expansion in the automotive market, the company in 2025 will launch its first AI-focused product: hot-swap MOS. Rigorous environmental testing has revealed that the product's endurance improved by nearly tenfold, significantly enhancing the maintenance efficiency and operational stability of AI servers and data centers. Potens aims to pursue orders from major international clients.

Taiwan's top three lead frame manufacturers are implementing sweeping price increases for the first time in four years. The move comes as surging prices for gold, silver, and copper drive up production costs.

As the generative AI (GenAI) boom becomes a central focus in tech development, high-performance computing (HPC) opportunities continue to expand, recently causing supply-demand gaps in the memory market that have triggered a surge of urgent orders. Coupled with the arrival of the consumer peak season and the first wave of new device shipments in September 2025, these three key drivers have pushed Taiwan's printed circuit board (PCB) industry to exceed revenue expectations in the third quarter of 2025.

Airoha Technology has continued to secure new collaboration opportunities in the international telecom market in 2025, with some of its previously developed markets now entering mass production and shipment phases, driving steady growth in its overall revenue. The company has also integrated MediaTek's Wi-Fi chips into its solutions.

As the AI boom drives demand for advanced packaging, chip testing at the backend is facing challenges in temperature, frequency, and speed. In response, the testing interface industry has been pushed into a new wave of product upgrades.

US-based PMIC manufacturer Power Integrations (PI) announced that it has officially entered Nvidia's 800V data center power supply architecture supply chain, becoming a certified supplier for the entire platform.

At the opening of the 2025 Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (TITAS) on October 14, Tong-sheng Wu, chairman of Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corporation (SSFC)—a subsidiary of Shinkong Group—addressed the industry's ongoing challenges, from global tariffs to China's low-price dumping. Despite this, he maintained an optimistic outlook, remarking, "Business is always tough, but there are always opportunities."

As trade tensions between the US and China intensify, rare earth minerals have once again become the focal point of a global strategic contest. In a surprise move, China's Ministry of Commerce has imposed sweeping new restrictions on rare earth exports, extending controls beyond raw materials to include related technologies, blueprints, maintenance, and services.

On October 9, 2025, China's Ministry of Commerce issued its No. 61 and No. 62 notices, expanding export controls on rare earths. The scope now extends from raw materials to equipment, technology, and assemblies containing rare earth elements. Additionally, the notices include extraterritorial application mechanisms.

At the OCP Global Summit 2025, Arm's Mohamed Awad, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Infrastructure Business, delivered a keynote urging the data center industry to rethink how systems are built in the age of AI. His talk, titled "What AI Wants: New Silicon, New Systems, and a New Era for the Data Center," highlighted that performance-per-watt optimization, ecosystem collaboration, and custom silicon are key to meeting the explosive growth in AI workloads.

As Samsung Electronics' performance rebounds, previously stagnant sectors such as materials, components, and equipment are expected to regain momentum. Improved performance across the supply chain is bringing optimism to the industry, and market watchers anticipate that companies with Samsung as a key customer will reap the greatest benefits, with the potential to achieve record-high earnings.

On October 9, 2025, China announced expanded export controls on rare earths. In response, US President Donald Trump vowed to impose 100% tariffs on goods from China starting in November. These rare earth controls have a considerable impact on the tech supply chain, one being the optics industry.