News
Panasonic to discontinue certain copper-clad laminate products as E-glass fabric suppliers exit production
Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Panasonic announced a final order deadline of March 31, 2026, for specific copper-clad laminate (CCL) products as key suppliers Nittobo, Asahi Kasei, and Asahi-Schwebel Taiwan discontinue production of E-glass fabric. Shipments will conclude by October 31, 2026, with warnings that supply may be limited if order volumes exceed remaining fabric inventory.
Context
The semiconductor supply chain is facing a structural shift as Panasonic announced it will discontinue specific Copper Clad Laminate (CCL) products by October 31, 2026. This decision stems from a broader exit by major Japanese upstream suppliers, including Nittobo, Asahi Kasei, and Asahi-Schweibel Taiwan (AST), who are ceasing production of standard E-glass fabric. Customers must place final orders by March 31, 2026, though Panasonic warned it may not fulfill all requests if orders exceed the remaining fiberglass inventory.
This development highlights a critical "crowding-out" effect within the PCB industry. As materials giants like Nittobo pivot capacity toward high-margin, low-loss materials for AI servers and 5G infrastructure, standard E-glass used in automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics is becoming scarce. Investors should note that while Taiwanese firms are expanding capacity to fill the gap, the withdrawal of primary Japanese suppliers signals persistent supply tightening and inflationary pressure for mid-market electronic materials through 2026.
Sources (8)
Electronic Materials Top Page - Panasonic IndustryTaiwanese firms expand 5G glass fiber capacity to challenge Japan's dominanceApple supplier Nittobo to roll out improved glass cloth crucial to AI chips - Nikkei AsiaGlass cloth could be the next great AI shortage, as major manufacturers scramble to secure critical material — Japanese manufacturer courted by Apple, Nvidia, Google, and Amazon | Tom's Hardware4 Product Lines 1 Shutdown Asahi Kasei’s Exit Marks Turning Point in Japanese Petrochemicals The Impact of the AI Boom on PCB & Raw Materials Supply Chains | Ventec International GroupThe Ultimate Guide to PCB Via Filling: Types, Materials, and ManufacturingWhen Electronics Material Shortage in PCB Assembly Affects Your Production - VSE
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