Kathmandu— China's burgeoning AI industry, valued at over 1.2 trillion yuan by the end of 2025, has sparked a massive surge in orders for high-end printed circuit boards (PCBs), according to experts. As AI computing power demands increase, top-tier PCB manufacturers are seeing orders extend through 2027, with prices for high-speed models quadrupling due to material shortages and supply constraints.

High Demand for Advanced PCBs

The surge in AI computing power has led to a significant uptick in demand for advanced PCBs, which are essential components of electronic devices. According to Wang Chen from the Greater Bay Area National Technology Innovation Center, top-tier PCB manufacturers are already booked through 2027 due to high-frequency and low-loss signal transmission requirements. This trend indicates that AI-driven demand is now reaching foundational hardware layers.

Industry insiders report widespread material shortages, with multiple upstream suppliers issuing price-hike notices. Prices for high-speed PCBs have more than quadrupled, impacting downstream manufacturers who are forced to raise their own prices or delay deliveries.

Impact on the Industrial Chain

The AI computing power boom is creating a ripple effect across the industrial chain, from algorithms and large models to GPUs and optical modules. According to Gong Chao of Tongji University's National Institute of Innovation and Development, this surge in orders for premium circuit boards signals that cloud vendors and computing power operators are launching large-scale procurement of complete AI servers.

Gong notes that price hikes are primarily affecting low-loss and high-speed products rather than the entire industry line. With current supply shortages and new supply cycle limitations, the demand for high-end circuit boards is expected to persist for an extended period.

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.