-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueAll About That Route
Most designers favor manual routing, but today's interactive autorouters may be changing designers' minds by allowing users more direct control. In this issue, our expert contributors discuss a variety of manual and autorouting strategies.
Creating the Ideal Data Package
Why is it so difficult to create the ideal data package? Many of these simple errors can be alleviated by paying attention to detail—and knowing what issues to look out for. So, this month, our experts weigh in on the best practices for creating the ideal design data package for your design.
Designing Through the Noise
Our experts discuss the constantly evolving world of RF design, including the many tradeoffs, material considerations, and design tips and techniques that designers and design engineers need to know to succeed in this high-frequency realm.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Prices of TBBPA Rise After Crackdown on China's Bromine Companies
August 18, 2017 | Doug Sober, Essex Technologies GroupEstimated reading time: Less than a minute

Increasing air pollution levels have prompted a crackdown on bromine manufacturers in China. A broad policy having to do with safety and environmental regulations has been in existence for two years, but this is now being enforced more vigorously.
Starting in early August, government auditing teams began investigating companies in the Shandong Province, many of which are small- or medium-sized firms. A number of manufacturers have shut down, some permanently and others temporarily to make improvements. Sources place the shutdowns at up to 80%.
The end-result is, or will be, a significant shortage of bromine compounds including TBBPA, the common flame-retardant used in making fire-retardant laminate materials for the electronics industry. Prices of TBBPA have already increased considerably, and the Chinese market is facing a shortage. The effect worldwide on laminate manufacturers is unknown at this time, but coupled with recent price increases in copper and fiberglass, it does not bode well for the electronics industry.
Suggested Items
Horizon Sales Celebrates 10 Years of Exceptional Service by Sales Leader David Smith
07/02/2025 | Horizon SalesHorizon Sales, a premier manufacturers’ representative and distributor for the electronics assembly industry, is proud to announce that David Smith is celebrating 10 years with the company this month.
Symposium Review: Qnity, DuPont, and Insulectro Forge Ahead with Advanced Materials
07/02/2025 | Barb Hockaday, I-Connect007In a dynamic and informative Innovation Symposium hosted live and on Zoom on June 25, 2025, representatives from Qnity (formerly DuPont Electronics), DuPont, and Insulectro discussed the evolving landscape of flexible circuit materials. From strategic corporate changes to cutting-edge polymer films, the session offered deep insight into design challenges, reliability, and next-gen solutions shaping the electronics industry.
Wolfspeed Stock Soars After Filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
07/01/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamOn July 1, Wolfspeed shares doubled following the company’s announcement on June 30 that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Zollner Completes Full Acquisition of Bluechips Microhouse
07/01/2025 | Zollner Elektronik AGZollner Elektronik AG has successfully finalized its com- plete takeover of Bluechips Microhouse Co., Ltd., in Thailand. In the future the company will operate as part of the Zollner Group of companies under the leadership of Thomas Kiefl – strategically networked, technologically focused and internationally oriented.
Inission Acquires the Lithuanian Company Selteka
07/01/2025 | InissionInission AB has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of UAB Selteka. Selteka is a well-respected EMS (electronics manufacturing services) company with operations located in Kaunas, Lithuania.