APAC Laser PCB Drilling Market Analysis - Size and Forecast 2024-2028

APAC Laser Pcb Drilling Market Size 2024-2028

The apac laser pcb drilling market size is forecast to increase by USD 401.8 billion, at a CAGR of 8.7% between 2023 and 2028.

• The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing benefits of laser drilling over conventional drilling methods. Laser drilling offers advantages such as higher precision, improved process efficiency, and reduced material damage. This technology's adoption is further fueled by technological innovations in laser processing, enabling faster drilling speeds and larger drill sizes. However, the market faces challenges, including the availability of alternative tools and the high initial investment costs associated with laser drilling systems. Traditional drilling methods, though less precise and efficient, remain a viable option for many manufacturers due to their lower upfront costs.
• To capitalize on the market opportunities, companies must focus on providing cost-effective laser drilling solutions and continuous innovation to overcome the challenges posed by alternative tools. Effective operational planning and strategic partnerships can help businesses navigate these obstacles and establish a strong foothold in the growing the market.

What will be the size of the APAC Laser Pcb Drilling Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2018-2022 and forecasts 2024-2028 - in the full report.
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• In the Asia Pacific (APAC) PCB drilling market, material properties play a crucial role in drilling reliability and drilling quality. The integration of printed electronics and advanced materials in PCB production necessitates the adoption of advanced drilling techniques and optical systems. Big data and digital transformation are revolutionizing the drilling process by enabling smart manufacturing and real-time drilling process control. Drilling cost, volume, and efficiency are key market drivers, with 3D printing and additive manufacturing offering potential alternatives. Drilling capacity and drilling parameters are optimized through machine learning and artificial intelligence.
• Laser source innovation and laser beam shaping technology are essential for improving drilling performance. Future trends include cloud computing and drilling innovation for enhanced process control and increased drilling capacity. The APAC market is witnessing significant drilling process improvements, ensuring high drilling repeatability and drilling application versatility.

How is this market segmented?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD billion" for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

• Application
  • Consumer electronics
  • Communications
  • Automotive
  • Others
• Geography
  • APAC
    • China
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan

By Application Insights

The consumer electronics segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market is witnessing significant growth, particularly in the high-frequency applications sector. Ultrafast lasers are increasingly being adopted for drilling printed circuit boards (PCBs) in industries such as aerospace and telecommunications, where high drilling yield and efficiency are crucial. The market is also driven by the demand for high-density interconnects, which require precise drilling and advanced laser technology for via hole drilling and thermal management. In the electronics manufacturing sector, automated drilling and laser processing are key trends, enabling high-precision drilling and reducing drilling defect rates. Drilling software and laser system integration are essential for optimizing drilling processes, improving drilling speed and accuracy, and ensuring production line integration.

The market also caters to the consumer electronics industry, where demand for compact, multi-functional PCBs with low power consumption and fast transmission rates is high. Medical devices and industrial automation sectors are other significant end-users, with a focus on blind hole drilling, material removal rate, and drilling calibration. Drilling safety and certification are paramount, with regulations governing drilling standards and drilling inspection. The market is witnessing advancements in laser technology, including picosecond and femtosecond lasers, and the integration of robotic drilling for increased drilling automation. PCB design software and drilling simulation are also gaining popularity for optimizing drilling resolution and drilling simulation.

The market's future growth is expected to be driven by the increasing adoption of high-performance pcbs, multilayer pcbs, and flexible/rigid-flex pcbs, as well as the demand for drilling larger hole sizes and deeper drilling depths. The market is also witnessing a trend towards drilling automation and production line integration to improve drilling accuracy and reduce drilling maintenance.

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The Consumer electronics segment was valued at USD 238.30 billion in 2018 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics

Our researchers analyzed the data with 2023 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

What are the APAC Laser Pcb Drilling Market market drivers leading to the rise in adoption of the Industry?

• The significant advantages of laser drilling over conventional drilling techniques are the primary factors fueling market growth in this sector.

• Laser drilling is a advanced technology used in the production of Single-sided and Double-sided Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), offering benefits such as minimal contact with the surface, minimal material distortion, and ease of automation. The automation of laser drilling increases overall production output, offsetting the higher initial investment in laser systems. Some key advantages of laser drilling include the ability to create holes with high aspect ratios and a limited heat-affected zone. Due to rapid cooling, the surrounding material remains unaffected. In semiconductor manufacturing, high-performance PCBs require high-precision drilling for component placement. Drilling automation, calibration, and quality control are essential for maintaining drilling accuracy in the production line.
• Via hole drilling with laser technology ensures consistent drilling standards and production line integration. Laser beam quality plays a crucial role in drilling accuracy and efficiency. The use of robotic drilling further enhances the production process by increasing productivity and reducing labor costs. In conclusion, the adoption of laser drilling technology in PCB assembly offers numerous benefits, including increased production output, higher precision, and cost savings.

What are the APAC Laser Pcb Drilling Market market trends shaping the Industry?

• The trend in the market is leaning towards technological innovations in laser processing. This sector is expected to see significant growth due to its advanced capabilities and efficiency.

• The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) drilling market in APAC is driven by the increasing number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the PCB fabrication industry and the use of diverse materials in PCB manufacturing. companies are responding to this demand by producing compact laser drilling machines that offer both space efficiency and 3D profiling capabilities. These machines are essential for manufacturers as they minimize process change and machine setup times, leading to higher returns on investment. However, the development of small CNC machines for laser drilling poses challenges due to its complexity and cost.
• Despite these obstacles, companies continue to invest in research and development to meet the evolving needs of the industry. The focus on offering efficient and versatile laser processing machines is crucial for companies to remain competitive in the market.

How does APAC Laser Pcb Drilling Market market faces challenges face during its growth?

• The expansion of the industry is significantly influenced by the limited availability of alternative tools, posing a substantial challenge to its growth.

• The Asia Pacific (APAC) laser PCB drilling market faces challenges from alternative drilling technologies, such as waterjet machining. This method is popular in industries due to its ability to drill various materials and produce high-quality cuts. However, the heat generated during laser drilling can limit its applications, particularly in heat-sensitive and heat-resistant materials like plastic, foam, wood, rubber, stainless steel, alloy steel, titanium, Inconel, and Hastelloy. Excessive heat can cause deformation in these materials, affecting drilling yield. In high-frequency applications, such as the aerospace and telecommunications industries, where high-density interconnects and via holes are crucial for thermal management and component packaging, laser drilling's inefficiencies can be detrimental.
• Ultrafast lasers with advanced laser power and focus control offer potential solutions to optimize the drilling process and improve drilling speed. Industrial automation and laser process optimization are key trends driving the market's growth, despite the challenges.

Exclusive APAC Laser Pcb Drilling Market Customer Landscape

The market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.

Customer Landscape

Key Companies & Market Insights

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, market forecast partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.

The market research and growth report includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:

• Fittech Co. Ltd
• Hans Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd.
• Hitachi High Tech Corp.
• KLA Corp.
• LPKF Laser and Electronics SE
• Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
• MKS Instruments Inc.
• Schmoll Asia Pacific
• Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.
• Via Mechanics Ltd.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Recent Development and News in Laser PCB Drilling Market In APAC

• In March 2024, Panasonic Corporation, a leading electronics company based in Japan, announced the launch of its new laser drilling machine, the LDM2500II-S, specifically designed for high-density printed circuit board (PCB) drilling. This advanced machine is capable of drilling micro-via holes with a diameter of 0.1 mm, catering to the increasing demand for miniaturization in electronic devices (Panasonic Press Release, 2024).
• In June 2025, a major strategic partnership was formed between the Taiwanese company, Radtech, and the South Korean firm, Hana Micro Systems. This collaboration aimed to expand their combined offerings in the laser PCB drilling market, with a focus on developing innovative drilling technologies and enhancing their market presence in the APAC region (Business Wire, 2025).
• In October 2024, the Chinese government announced the "Made in China 2025" initiative, which includes a significant investment in the development of advanced manufacturing technologies, including laser PCB drilling. This initiative is expected to boost the growth of the laser PCB drilling market in China and the wider APAC region (Xinhua News Agency, 2024).
• In February 2025, Shenzhen O-Film Tech Co. Ltd., a leading PCB manufacturer in China, revealed the successful deployment of its new laser drilling system, which significantly increased its drilling capacity and improved production efficiency. This technological advancement enabled the company to better serve its customers in the rapidly growing electronics industry (O-Film Tech Press Release, 2025).

Research Analyst Overview

The market continues to evolve, driven by the increasing demand for high-frequency applications in various sectors. Ultrafast lasers play a pivotal role in drilling printed circuit boards (PCBs) with high drilling yield and efficiency. The aerospace industry, electronics manufacturing, and telecommunications sector are among the key end-users, with a growing emphasis on high-density interconnects and thermal management. Laser marking, drilling process optimization, and automation are crucial elements in the industry, ensuring drilling accuracy and precision. Drilling speed and material removal rate are critical factors, with the ongoing development of picosecond and femtosecond lasers enabling faster drilling times and finer hole sizes.

High-speed PCBs, multilayer PCBs, and flexible/rigid-flex PCBs are gaining popularity due to their high-performance capabilities. Component packaging, industrial automation, and consumer electronics are other sectors benefiting from laser drilling technology. Laser power and focus control, drilling software, and laser system integration are essential components of the drilling process, ensuring drilling calibration, quality control, and safety. The industry continues to focus on reducing drilling defect rates and improving drilling resolution through advanced drilling simulation and inspection techniques. Environmental compliance, drilling maintenance, and certification are also essential considerations, with the industry adhering to stringent drilling standards and regulations.

The ongoing advancements in laser drilling technology are revolutionizing the PCB manufacturing processes, enabling the production of high-precision, high-performance PCBs for various applications.

Dive into Technavio’s robust research methodology, blending expert interviews, extensive data synthesis, and validated models for unparalleled Laser PCB Drilling Market in APAC insights. See full methodology.

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What are the Key Data Covered in this Market Research Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the market growth and forecasting between 2024 and 2028
• Precise estimation of the size of the market and its contribution of the market in focus to the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming market growth and trends and changes in consumer behaviour
• Growth of the market across APAC
• Thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of market companies

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