by The flat flex cable (FFC) or flexible flat cable is a popular cable type used for compact electronic assemblies such as laptops, smartphones, and networking devices. It comprises a thin flexible circuitry comprising conducting copper tracks and pads bonded between polyimide or plastic films using an adhesive. Flat flex cables are able to transmit low voltage power and data signals between components in tight spaces with minimal thickness and weight. Their flexibility allows them to be bent and twisted without causing damage. The growing demand for thinner and lighter electronic devices has fuelled the use of flat flex cables as they allow for greater miniaturization compared to other wiring options.
The global Flat Flex Cable Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 492.7 Mn in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 17% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights.
Market key trends:
One of the major trends in the flat flex cable market size is the increase in demand for high-speed data transmission applications. Flat flex cables nowadays are being designed to support higher bandwidth at faster speeds. Advancements in cable designs incorporating thinner circuitry and improved signal integrity have enabled flat flex cables to transmit data at speeds exceeding 10Gbps. This has increased their usage in applications requiring high-speed data transmission such as SSD/HDD connectivity, high-performance computing modules, network switches, and graphics cards. The miniaturization trend in the electronics industry has also augmented research into ultra-thin flat flex cables comprising circuit widths as low as 5 microns. Their extremely low profile makes them ideal for use in devices where space is highly constrained.
Porter’s Analysis
Threat of new entrants: Low capital requirements and established industry players make the threat of new entrants low in the flat flex cable market.
Bargaining power of buyers: Buyers have high bargaining power due to the availability of substitute products and differentiated products offered by manufacturers.
Bargaining power of suppliers: Suppliers have low to moderate bargaining power as raw materials required are commodity products and not difficult to procure.
Threat of new substitutes: Substitute products like FPCs and PCBs pose moderate threat to flat flex cables.
Competitive rivalry: The flat flex cable market is highly competitive due to presence of numerous regional and international players.
Key Takeaways
The global flat flex cable market is expected to witness high growth. The global Flat Flex Cable Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 492.7 Mn in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 17% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030.
The Asia Pacific region currently dominates the flat flex cable market and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. Growing electronics industry and massive consumer base in countries like China and India are driving the growth of the market in the region.
Key players
Key players operating in the flat flex cable market are Essilor International, Johnson & Johnson Vision, CooperVision, Hoya Corporation, Zeiss Group, Bausch + Lomb, Menicon Co., Ltd., SEED Co., Ltd., Alcon (Novartis), Visioneering Technologies Inc., Paragon Vision Sciences, Euclid Systems Corporation, Art Optical Contact Lens Inc., SynergEyes Inc., Nevakar Inc.
Key players focus on new product launches, mergers, acquisitions and partnerships to gain competitive advantage in the market. For instance, in 2022, Fujikura acquired majority stake in Filtermic, a manufacturer of FPC and flat cables to expand its product portfolio.
