The electronics sector, which accounts for around a half of all tin usage, has had a disappointing year, with zero growth in output according to consultancy Henderson Ventures. However in the company’s latest Electronic Market Forecast monthly newsletter it sees an improvement in 2013 and 2014, especially in parts of Asia.
In a summary of its December report, Henderson says: “With the exception of the automotive industry, there has been little to cheer about. Regionally, all the major geographic sectors have been reporting declining output to varying degrees. Overall global output is expected to be unchanged from 2011 when a meagre 3.9 % gain was posted. Sequential improvements of 5.1 % and 7.0 % are expected for 2013 and 2014, however.
But the 2013 regional performances will generally be uninspiring largely due to a continuation of sub-par economic gains. The US will post only a 2.1 % gain as the industry will be weighed down by declining military electronics production. And in West Europe, a continuing recession, along with much slower automotive electronics demand, will result in only a 1.5 % lift. In Japan, output will decline by 2.4 % as former industry leaders such as Panasonic, Sharp and Sony undergo substantial retrenchments. Unprofitable product segments will be either shuttered or sold off. And an overvalued yen will keep the pressure on for additional offshoring.
Elsewhere in Asia, the Four Tigers are predicted to achieve a 5.3 % gain, while China’s growth moves up from 1.6 % this year to 7.1 % in 2013.”
The summary is an excerpt from the monthly Henderson Electronic Market Forecast (HEMF) report which provides comprehensive forecasts of the global electronics industry. www.HendersonVentures.com
