Taiflex Scientific expects sales of its flexible copper-clad laminate (FCCL) product line to drop 5-10% sequentially in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to the 10-20% decreases usually seen during the same quarter in previous years.
The recent roll-out of multiple smartphones, tablets and ultrabooks has pushed demand for flexible PCBs and therefore driving up demand for FCCLs, the company explained.
Taiflex saw its FCCL sales grow 41% sequentially to NT$1.4 billion (US$47.77 million) in the third quarter of 2012 thanks to peak seasonal effects.
However, sales of PV backsheets declined 52% on quarter to NT$500 million in the quarter as downstream PV module makers were conservative about the business outlook, said the company. Taiflex expects sales of its PV backsheets to grow 10-15% sequentially in the fourth quarter due to a low base in the previous quarter.
