Middle East Conflict Triggers Shocking 40 Percent Spike in Global PCB Prices
A major shutdown at a petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia has caused global printed circuit board (PCB) prices to surge by 40% in a single month. The facility in Jubail supplied roughly 70% of the world's high-purity polyphenylene ether resin, a critical material for PCB manufacturing. Logistics disruptions and missile strikes in the region have brought production to a standstill, leaving manufacturers with a 275-day-plus timeline for recovery. Key electronics components are facing extended lead times, with some expanding from three weeks to fifteen. While tech giants like Apple likely have large inventories to buffer the initial shock, mid-range laptops, smartphones, and routers are expected to feel the financial squeeze first.