PCB makers look for new sources of waterMANY FACTORS: Raw material price hikes are likely to dent PCB makers’ Q2 earnings, but not so much if Asian currencies fall against the US dollar, Yuanta analysts saidBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterLocal printed circuit board (PCB) makers are planning alternative water sources — such as using recycled water, preparing water storage facilities or hiring water trucks to transport water from remote areas — in anticipation of more stringent water rationing as the nation’s most severe water shortage in 56 years worsens. Photo: Tsai Ching-hua, Taipei TimesThe analysts said the water shortage is affecting PCB makers’ production in the second quarter, while the outlook for the third quarter remains uncertain. “Industrial water supply costs NT$12 per tonne, while water delivered by water tank costs NT$400 per tonne. Based on our estimates, water accounts for 0.2 percent of PCB suppliers’ production costs,” Yuanta analysts said. “Persistent raw material price hikes are likely to continue to suppress PCB makers’ earnings in the second quarter of this year,” they said.

Source: Taipei Times May 23, 2021 15:56 UTC