← External Forces: Digital & Technology (all topics)

HDI (high density interconnect) PCB localisation

Technology & Product Transition · Product & process shift

What it is

High Density Interconnect printed circuit boards use microvias and fine-line traces to pack more circuitry into less area, and are essential for phones, wearables and advanced electronics. India has historically imported them

Multi-layer and HDI PCB plants are being built under ECMS approvals, with several slated to commission from FY27

Impact on industries

  • PCBs are the largest single imported input in most electronic products, so localisation moves real value onshore rather than at the margin
  • ECMS incentives and customer pressure for local content give the investment a defined demand base before commissioning
  • Technically demanding and capital-heavy, competing against entrenched Chinese and Taiwanese producers with scale and decades of process learning
  • Qualification with global brands takes years, so plants carry fixed cost well before they reach useful utilisation

Industries affected