Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-03-18 Origin: Site
March 2026
If you manufacture PCBs or specify insulation materials like G10 and FR-4, you've already noticed the change. Lead times are stretching. Prices are moving monthly. And reliable supply is no longer guaranteed.
The reason sits deep in the supply chain: glass fabric. For those of us producing G10, G11, G15, FR-4, and EPGM203 laminates, this is the material we cannot do without.
Glass fabric—the reinforcement backbone of epoxy laminates—is in structural shortage. Not a temporary hiccup. A genuine supply-demand gap that industry analysts expect to continue well into 2027.
The numbers tell the story:
Nittobo, the Japanese supplier controlling roughly 90% of high-end glass fabric, cannot keep up. New capacity? Coming, but not in volume until mid-2027
Price increases: 7628 glass fabric moved from $0.57/m in September 2025 to $0.90/m today—four separate increases in five months
Lead times: Standard orders that shipped in 4-6 weeks now take 12-16 weeks, with priority going to high-volume AI customers
Here's the connection you need to understand:
The same glass fabric that reinforces AI server motherboards also reinforces your G10 sheets and FR-4 laminates.
When AI server demand exploded—single GB300 units now use 18-24 meters of glass fabric, 5× more than traditional servers—it consumed weaving capacity. Manufacturers prioritized high-margin specialty fabrics. Standard fabric availability tightened.
For buyers of insulation materials, this means:
G10 and FR-4 lead times have extended significantly. Custom thicknesses face the longest delays
Price stability is gone. We now quote G10 with 7-day validity because our own glass costs change weekly
Specification flexibility matters. G11 may substitute for some G15 applications. Different glass styles may work. The more options you qualify, the more supply you can access
| Material | Typical Lead Time (Pre-2025) | Current Lead Time |
| Standard FR-4 sheets | 2-3 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
| G10/G11 custom thickness | 3-4 weeks | 8-10 weeks |
| Specialty grades (EPGM203) | 4-5 weeks | 10-12 weeks |
Note: Lead times vary by specification and volume. Contact us for current status on your specific requirements.
At Fenhar , we manufacture G10, G11, G15, FR-4, and EPGM203 laminates daily. To maintain supply for our customers, we've adapted:
Multiple glass sources qualified. We've expanded beyond single-supplier dependence for standard reinforcements
Buffer inventory maintained. For high-volume grades, we carry additional stock—not typical for us, but necessary now
Early communication. If your G11 order faces constraints, you'll know before we accept the order, not after
The realistic timeline: mid-2027 at the earliest.
Nittobo's new Fukushima capacity—$510 million investment—won't deliver volume until 2027. Other suppliers face the same reality: glass fabric production requires specialized furnaces operating above 1600°C. You cannot accelerate this.
Through 2026, expect:
Continued price pressure (analysts project 25%+ increases this year)
Extended lead times
Allocation decisions favoring long-term, forecasted orders
If you purchase G10, FR-4, or related materials:
Forecast and commit. Suppliers with visibility can reserve glass fabric for your orders. Last-minute buys face the highest risk
Qualify alternatives. Even one additional approved grade expands your options
Verify specifications before ordering. Returns take weeks to replace right now
Talk to us early. If you know Q3 requirements, tell us in Q2
Glass fabric shortages are not a short-term disruption. They reflect fundamental demand shifts—AI servers consuming material at unprecedented rates—against supply that takes years to expand.
For G10, G11, FR-4, and EPGM203 users, this means planning ahead matters more than ever.
We manufacture G10, G11, G15, FR-4, and EPGM203 laminates for PCB fabrication and electrical insulation applications. Contact us for current availability and lead times on your specific requirements.
