Current Market Update: Why Electronic Glass Fabrics Are Impacting the Entire PCB Supply Chain
How are electronic glass fabrics affecting the printed circuit board industry?
In our latest market update, we explain the current developments surrounding PCB base materials, copper clad laminates (CCL), and prepregs, as well as their impact on pricing, lead times, and material availability. We also highlight why understanding the interaction of the entire PCB supply chain is more important than ever and provide our comprehensive market update as a free download.
The global PCB industry is facing exceptional market conditions
The global printed circuit board industry is currently experiencing one of its most challenging market environments in recent years. Rising raw material costs, extended procurement lead times, and limited material availability are creating new challenges for manufacturers and purchasing professionals alike.
A key driver behind these developments is electronic glass fabric—an essential component of modern PCB base materials, Copper Clad Laminates (CCL), and prepregs.
Recent production disruptions, declining inventories, and limited manufacturing capacities are now affecting the entire PCB supply chain.
What is electronic glass fabric?
Electronic glass fabric, together with epoxy resin, forms the foundation of nearly all FR-4 printed circuit boards. By combining glass fabric with resin, manufacturers produce the base materials required for PCB manufacturing.
The fabric styles 7628, 2116, and 1080 are currently among the most affected, as they are widely used in both standard and high-performance PCB applications.
Why is the situation becoming more critical?
Several developments are occurring simultaneously:
Production disruptions at electronic glass fabric manufacturers
Reduced inventories throughout the supply chain
Increasing demand for PCB base materials
Limited manufacturing capacities
Rising raw material, energy, and logistics costs
As a result, material prices continue to increase while procurement lead times for many PCB base materials have become significantly longer.
Understanding the entire PCB supply chain
A common misconception is that price increases or extended lead times originate solely from PCB manufacturers.
If shortages occur during the production of electronic glass fabrics, they immediately impact the availability of PCB base materials. These delays continue throughout PCB manufacturing and logistics, ultimately affecting delivery schedules, material availability, and overall costs.
This interaction throughout the entire supply chain is exactly what we aim to illustrate transparently in our market update.
Why short-term solutions are difficult
Electronic glass fabric is one of the most technically demanding materials used in PCB manufacturing.
Expanding production capacity is not a short-term process due to several factors, including:
Highly specialized weaving equipment
Limited manufacturing capacity
Long lead times for new production equipment
Extensive qualification and approval processes
Significant investment requirements for new production lines
For these reasons, a rapid improvement in the current supply situation is unlikely.
What does this mean for purchasing and supply chain planning?
In today's market environment, early planning and close coordination across the supply chain have become increasingly important.
Proactive planning helps companies to:
Secure material availability at an early stage
Improve delivery reliability
Better manage pricing risks
Reduce the risk of production interruptions
Our Market Update
As a specialist in high-quality printed circuit boards, LEXINGTON® continuously monitors developments throughout the entire PCB supply chain.
Our latest market update provides transparent insights into current developments surrounding electronic glass fabrics, PCB base materials, and their impact on pricing, material availability, and lead times.
Our goal is to provide customers with a clear understanding of current market dynamics and support informed planning and purchasing decisions.
Download the Full Market Update
Would you like to explore these developments in greater detail?
Our comprehensive market update includes:
Current developments in electronic glass fabrics
Background information on price trends and material availability
Impact on CCL, prepregs, and PCB manufacturing
Insights into the interaction of the entire PCB supply chain
Recommendations for purchasing, material planning, and project planning
The complete market update is available for download here.
Transparency Creates Planning Security
Recent developments once again demonstrate how closely connected every stage of the PCB supply chain has become.
At LEXINGTON®, our commitment goes beyond supplying high-quality printed circuit boards. We believe in providing transparent market information, identifying changes at an early stage, and working together with our customers to develop sustainable solutions.
Because resilient supply chains do not happen by chance—they are built through transparency, proactive planning, and strong partnerships.
How are electronic glass fabrics affecting the printed circuit board industry?
In our latest market update, we explain the current developments surrounding PCB base materials, copper clad laminates (CCL), and prepregs, as well as their impact on pricing, lead times, and material availability. We also highlight why understanding the interaction of the entire PCB supply chain is more important than ever and provide our comprehensive market update as a free download.
LEXINGTON® is featured on the Leuze Verlag reference page and on the cover of the latest PLUS magazine. Learn more about our Six Sigma quality philosophy and innovative PCB technologies.
The trade journal PLUS – Production of Printed Circuit Boards and Systems is one of the leading publications in the European PCB and electronics manufacturing industry. In the March 2026 issue, LEXINGTON® is featured with a cover advertisement highlighting ceramic PCBs.
