This week, Harald Kutzias, Technical Service Engineer from Taiyo Europe, discuss some of the latest technical trends in Europe as it relates to solder masks and HDI.

Dan Beaulieu: What are some of the latest technology trends going on in Europe these days?

Harald Kutzias: Technology trends, forced by the European Community is green technology. So business for green energy, electrical devices, and electric cars will increase.

Dan: And how does this relate to what Taiyo does in terms of solder masks and HDI?

Harald: I await that thermal management requirements will be more and more important for electrical devices. With heat sink products and high-temperature solder masks, Taiyo has big opportunities to increase its market share.

Dan: Do you see the technology there similar to ours, or are they more advanced or not?

Harald: I have no big overview of the US market at the moment, however, I estimate that the technology level is similar. In Europe, a lot of shops survived, because they are focused on special products (e.g. LED, special size panels, etc.)

Dan: What is a military market like over there?

Harald: Military market was very low in the past. Now because of the Ukraine war, a change in thinking started. So I await, that the military market will increase in Europe a lot.

Dan: How do you see the next few years selling in the European Market? Harald: The driver for Taiyo products in Europe is the Reach system. So a lot of customers have to change their production materials because of SVHC requirements. This is a big opportunity for Taiyo to increase its market share.

Dan: Thank you Harald!