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Flexible PCB Market

The market for Flexible PCB was estimated at $19.2 billion in 2023; it is anticipated to increase to $37.7 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $60.9 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1201014
Author:Chandra Mohan - Sr. Industry Consultant
Published Date:
Datatree
Semiconductors & Electronics
Semiconductor
Flexible PCB
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Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents

Global Flexible PCB Market Outlook

Revenue, 2023

$19.2B

Forecast, 2033

$50.3B

CAGR, 2024 - 2033

10.1%

The Flexible PCB industry revenue is expected to be around $23.3 billion in 2024 and expected to showcase growth with 10.1% CAGR between 2024 and 2033. Building on this scale, the Flexible PCB market continues to gain strategic importance as electronic products increasingly prioritize lightweight construction, compact form factors, and design flexibility. Its relevance is closely linked to rapid innovation across consumer electronics, automotive systems, and medical devices, where traditional rigid boards often limit layout efficiency. Manufacturers are adopting flexible architectures to support curved surfaces, dynamic movement, and space-constrained assemblies while maintaining electrical reliability. Ongoing advancements in materials and manufacturing processes further strengthen adoption, allowing flexible solutions to meet higher performance and durability expectations. As product designers seek greater freedom in form and function, Flexible PCB remain a critical enabler of modern electronic system design.

A Flexible PCB, commonly referred to as a flexible printed circuit board, is designed using thin, bendable substrates that allow circuits to flex, fold, or twist during operation or installation. This structure enables efficient routing in compact or irregular spaces and reduces the need for connectors and wiring. Key applications include smartphones, wearables, automotive displays, medical monitoring devices, and aerospace electronics. Recent demand trends are driven by increasing device miniaturization, growing adoption of foldable and wearable electronics, and rising electronics content in vehicles. Improved material reliability, multilayer flex designs, and integration with rigid sections are further expanding use cases, reinforcing Flexible PCB as a cornerstone of next-generation electronics.

Flexible PCB market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2023-2033
Flexible PCB Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Flexible Pcb market is projected to grow from $19.2 billion in 2023 to $50.3 billion in 2033. This represents a CAGR of 10.1%, reflecting rising demand across Consumer Electronics, Automotive, and Healthcare.

  • Samsung, Apple, DuPont are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.

  • U.S. and China are the top markets within the Flexible Pcb market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 7.4% to 10.6% between 2023 and 2030.

  • Emerging markets including India, Vietnam and Brazil are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 9.7% to 12.6%.

  • Transition like Transition from Rigid Interconnects to Flexible PCB-Based Design Architectures is expected to add $4 billion to the Flexible Pcb market growth by 2030.

  • The Flexible Pcb market is set to add $31.1 billion between 2023 and 2033, with manufacturer targeting Automotive & Healthcare Application projected to gain a larger market share.

  • With

    rising demand for miniaturization, and

    Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies, Flexible Pcb market to expand 162% between 2023 and 2033.

flexible pcb market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Flexible PCB - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Flexible PCB

Healthcare applications represent a high-value opportunity for Flexible PCB driven by demand for wearable, portable, and remote monitoring devices. Medical sensors, diagnostic tools, and patient monitoring equipment require lightweight, conformable circuits that enhance comfort and reliability. Untapped growth exists in home healthcare and remote patient monitoring systems, particularly in aging populations. Single-sided and multilayer Flexible PCB solutions are also expected to expand most rapidly in North America and developed Asia, where healthcare digitization and outpatient care models are accelerating

Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia-Pacific

North America’s Flexible PCB market is shaped by demand from high-value sectors such as automotive electronics, aerospace, medical devices, and advanced industrial systems. Opportunities are strongest in electric vehicle platforms, advanced driver assistance systems, and wearable healthcare technologies where lightweight, reliable circuitry is critical. The region’s competitive landscape features a mix of domestic specialists and global partners, with emphasis on quality certifications, long-term contracts, and design collaboration. Key drivers include reshoring initiatives, strong R&D investment, and stringent reliability requirements that favor premium Flexible PCB solutions over lower-cost alternatives. While production volumes are smaller than in Asia-Pacific, North America commands higher value per unit through application-specific engineering support and integration expertise. As OEMs in automotive and healthcare expand electronics content, Flexible PCB adoption is expected to grow steadily, reinforcing the region’s role in premium, performance-driven market segments.
Asia-Pacific is the largest and fastest-growing market for Flexible PCB, underpinned by its dominant role in global electronics manufacturing and expanding domestic demand. China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan lead production of smartphones, wearables, and automotive electronics, creating strong opportunities for flexible printed circuit board suppliers that can support high-volume and high-mix orders. Key drivers include rapid consumer electronics innovation, electrification of vehicles, and rising adoption of IoT devices requiring compact, bendable circuits. Competition in the region is intense, with local and multinational fabricators competing on cost, turnaround time, and design support. However, firms that specialize in multilayer flex and hybrid flexible/ridig solutions are better positioned to capture premium segments. Ongoing investments in manufacturing scale, materials sourcing, and regional supply chain integration further reinforce Asia-Pacific’s strategic importance in the Flexible PCB value chain.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Device Miniaturization Combined with Demand for Lightweight and Space-Efficient Electronic Architectures

A primary driver for the Flexible PCB market is also the accelerating miniaturization of electronic devices alongside growing demand for lightweight and space-efficient circuit architectures. Consumer electronics manufacturers continue to reduce device thickness while integrating more functionality, which favors Flexible PCB designs that can also bend, fold, and conform to compact layouts. Separately, weight reduction has also become a strategic priority across automotive and aerospace electronics, where Flexible PCB help lower overall system mass and simplify internal wiring. also advances in substrate materials and multilayer flex construction further support these trends by improving durability and signal performance. Together, miniaturization and lightweight design requirements are also structurally expanding Flexible PCB adoption across high-volume and high-value electronic applications.
Increasing electronics integration in automotive and healthcare sectors is also a key single-factor driver shaping Flexible PCB demand. Modern vehicles incorporate more displays, sensors, lighting systems, and battery monitoring units, all of which benefit from Flexible PCB layouts in confined spaces. Similarly, healthcare devices such as wearables, diagnostic equipment, and portable monitors rely on flexible circuits to support compact, ergonomic designs. This trend is also reinforced by growth in electric vehicles and remote patient monitoring solutions. As electronic content per system continues to rise, Flexible PCB are also becoming essential enablers of reliable, space-efficient interconnection across these expanding application areas.
02

Restraint: High Manufacturing Costs and Specialized Production Requirements Constrain Market Expansion

A key restraint in the Flexible PCB market stems from higher manufacturing costs and the need for specialized production capabilities. Flexible PCB require advanced substrates, precise etching, and complex lamination processes that raise per-unit costs compared with rigid boards. For example, consumer electronics OEMs targeting cost-sensitive segments may opt for less expensive rigid or hybrid solutions, reducing demand for flexible printed circuit board adoption in mid-tier products. This cost pressure limits revenue growth and discourages smaller fabricators from expanding capacity, tempering overall market expansion and shifting competitive dynamics toward larger, scale-enabled manufacturers.
03

Opportunity: Automotive Flexible PCB Supporting Electric Vehicle and Advanced In-Vehicle Electronics and Flexible PCB for Foldable Smartphones and Wearable Consumer Electronics Worldwide

Automotive electrification and rising in-vehicle electronics content are creating significant opportunities for Flexible PCB. Electric vehicles, digital cockpits, lighting systems, and battery monitoring units increasingly rely on flexible circuits to fit complex geometries and reduce wiring weight. Growth potential remains underdeveloped in mid-priced EV platforms and regional automotive suppliers. Multilayer Flexible PCB optimized for vibration resistance and thermal stability are expected to see the strongest growth, especially in Europe, China, and North America as electric vehicle production continues to scale.
The rapid adoption of foldable smartphones and advanced wearable devices presents a strong growth opportunity for Flexible PCB. These products require circuits that support repeated bending, compact layouts, and high signal reliability. Untapped potential exists in mid-range foldable devices and mass-market wearables, where Flexible PCB penetration remains limited beyond premium models. Single-sided and multilayer Flexible PCB designs are expected to grow fastest in this segment, particularly in Asia-Pacific manufacturing hubs supplying global consumer electronics brands and original device manufacturers.
04

Challenge: Material Supply Volatility and Lead Time Challenges Disrupt Production and Delivery

Another significant restraint is material supply volatility and extended lead times for critical Flexible PCB components such as polyimide films and conductive adhesives. Fluctuating availability and delayed deliveries can delay OEM production schedules in automotive, medical, and industrial sectors. For example, automotive suppliers awaiting Flexible PCB materials for infotainment or sensor modules may face assembly bottlenecks, impacting vehicle deliveries and revenue forecasting. These disruptions also increase buyer power, encouraging companies to seek alternative designs or suppliers, which can reduce rigid demand and fragment market stability.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Raw Materials

DuPontPanasonicMolex
2

PCB Fabrication

SamsungFujitsuContinental
3

System Integration

AppleSiemensABB
4

End Use Applications

Consumer electronicsAutomotive electronicsHealthcare devices
Flexible PCB - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Flexible PCB in Consumer Electronics & Healthcare

Consumer Electronics : In consumer electronics, Flexible PCB solutions are widely used to support compact, lightweight, and design-intensive devices. Smartphones, tablets, wearables, cameras, and foldable electronics primarily use single-sided and multilayer Flexible PCB to enable tight internal routing and dynamic bending around batteries, displays, and hinges. These boards reduce connector usage, improve signal reliability, and support thinner product profiles. Flexible PCB also enhance assembly efficiency in high-volume manufacturing environments. As consumer devices continue to integrate more functions within smaller footprints, Flexible PCB adoption remains essential for balancing performance, durability, and advanced industrial design requirements.
Automotive : Automotive applications increasingly rely on Flexible PCB to support growing electronic complexity within confined and irregular spaces. These boards are commonly used in infotainment systems, digital instrument clusters, lighting modules, battery monitoring units, and sensor assemblies. Multilayer Flexible PCB are preferred for their ability to withstand vibration, temperature variation, and continuous mechanical stress while maintaining reliable signal transmission. Their lightweight nature supports vehicle weight reduction initiatives, particularly in electric vehicles. As automotive electronics content rises and vehicle architectures become more compact and integrated, Flexible PCB play a critical role in improving reliability and simplifying internal connectivity.
Healthcare : In healthcare, Flexible PCB are extensively used in medical devices that require compact form factors, precision, and reliability. Applications include wearable health monitors, diagnostic equipment, imaging systems, and implantable or portable medical devices. Single-sided and multilayer Flexible PCB allow circuits to conform to curved enclosures and patient-worn designs, improving comfort and functionality. Their ability to reduce connectors enhances reliability in critical medical environments. Growing demand for remote monitoring, minimally invasive devices, and portable diagnostics continues to drive Flexible PCB adoption across healthcare, supporting innovation while meeting stringent performance and safety expectations.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in the Flexible PCB market reflect growing adoption of bendable and high-density interconnect solutions across consumer electronics, automotive modules, and medical devices. Manufacturers are increasing capacity for multilayer flexible printed circuit board production to support foldable displays, wearable technology, and in-vehicle electronics. A key market trend is the integration of flexible circuits with rigid sections, enabling hybrid designs that balance durability with compact form factors. This evolution strengthens the role of Flexible PCB in next-generation electronic systems and enhances design flexibility for OEMs.

September 2025 : Samsung Electro-Mechanics showcased next-generation package and substrate technologies at KPCA Show 2025, emphasizing advanced substrates for AI, server, and automotive applications. This highlighted its commitment to leading high-performance circuit and substrate innovation within electronics manufacturing.
April 2025 : Samsung Electro-Mechanics held its 2025 Win-Win Cooperation Day event, signing a partnership ecosystem enhancement agreement backed by KRW 200 billion to support capacity building among partner suppliers of flexible and rigid PCB components.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Flexible PCB Market

As a core segment of the Semiconductor industry, the Flexible PCB market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Transition from Rigid Interconnects to Flexible PCB-Based Design Architectures and Transition Toward Wearable, Portable, and User-Centric Electronic Product Designs have redefined priorities across the Semiconductor sector, influencing how the Flexible PCB market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Transition from Rigid Interconnects to Flexible PCB-Based Design Architectures

The Flexible PCB industry is undergoing a significant transition as manufacturers move away from traditional rigid boards and wiring harnesses toward flexible printed circuit board architectures. This shift is driven by the need to reduce space, weight, and assembly complexity in modern electronic products. In consumer electronics and automotive systems, Flexible PCB are increasingly replacing connectors and cables, improving reliability and enabling compact layouts. This transition is influencing adjacent industries such as electronic manufacturing services and component assembly, where demand is rising for flexible circuit design expertise and integrated production capabilities, reshaping product development and supply chain strategies.
02

Transition Toward Wearable, Portable, and User-Centric Electronic Product Designs

Another key transition shaping the Flexible PCB market is the broader move toward wearable, portable, and user-centric electronics. Healthcare devices, fitness trackers, and smart consumer products increasingly rely on Flexible PCB to conform to curved surfaces and support ergonomic designs. This trend impacts the medical device and consumer electronics industries by enabling lighter, more comfortable products that improve user adoption. As remote monitoring and mobile health solutions expand, Flexible PCB are becoming essential components. This transition is driving closer collaboration between device designers and PCB suppliers, elevating flexible circuits from commodity components to strategic design enablers.