A few months ago, we reported on supply challenges for circuit board components, which stemmed from the closure of material processing centers in Saudi Arabia due to conflict in the region. Although these facilities have since resumed operations, it is now reported that supply issues for circuit boards are expected to persist, driven by high demand from the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.
Circuit board components serve as the foundation for various other computing components, including processors, motherboards, memory, and storage. Many manufacturers of these circuit board components appear to be bound by contracts that prioritize the production of boards for AI-related applications.
According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the lead time for circuit board orders can now reach up to 30 months. This is because production capacity is heavily focused on boards designed for AI components—products that also require significant quantities of raw materials, such as copper and fiberglass.
This situation is expected to negatively impact other technology sectors, particularly the hardware and consumer electronics industries, which rely on these components to develop their products and services.
Device manufacturers in Taiwan have noted that the cost of copper-clad laminates (CCLs)—a key material used in circuit board construction—has surged twelvefold since July 2026, fueled by intense demand from the AI sector and rising material costs.
Combined with our previous report—which cited SK Hynix’s projection that memory component supplies will remain costly for the next 1–2 years—it appears that the prices of computer components and complete computer systems are set to become increasingly expensive in the near future.
