AGY, JPS Composite Materials Partner to Produce North America’s First Low CTE Glass Fiber Fabric for Advanced IC Substrates
February 26, 2026 | BUSINESS WIREEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
AGY, a leading manufacturer of advanced specialty glass fibers, today announced a strategic partnership with JPS Composite Materials LLC to manufacture and produce the first North American-based low coefficient of thermal expansion (Low CTE) glass fiber fabric designed specifically for advanced integrated circuit (IC) substrates and next-generation semiconductor packaging technologies.
This collaboration combines AGY’s proprietary L-HDI™ ultra-low CTE glass fiber, produced at its Aiken, South Carolina manufacturing facility, with JPS Composite Materials’ advanced weaving and fabric production capabilities at its Statesville, North Carolina facility. Together, the companies are establishing a fully domestic supply chain for critical reinforcement materials used in high-performance semiconductor applications.
Low CTE glass fiber fabric plays a vital role in IC substrate performance by enhancing dimensional stability, reducing warpage, and supporting higher interconnect density. These characteristics are essential for advanced packaging platforms such as Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate (CoWoS) and System-on-Integrated-Chips (SoIC), which enable higher bandwidth, improved power efficiency, and greater functional integration in AI, data center, and high-performance computing applications.
“Establishing a North American source for Low CTE glass fiber fabric is a major milestone for the semiconductor supply chain,” said Patrick Hunter, Chief Commercial Officer and President of AGY. “Our L-HDI glass fiber platform was developed to meet the increasing dimensional stability and dielectric performance demands of next-generation IC substrates. By partnering with JPS Composite Materials LLC, we are delivering a fully domestic solution that strengthens supply chain resiliency while supporting leading-edge packaging innovation.”
AGY’s L-HDI glass fiber is engineered to provide ultra-low CTE, excellent dielectric properties, and consistent filament geometry required for advanced electronic laminates and substrates. JPS Composite Materials LLC brings decades of experience in precision weaving and high-performance fabric manufacturing, ensuring tight construction control and quality standards necessary for semiconductor-grade fabric.
“This partnership positions both companies at the forefront of advanced electronics materials manufacturing in the United States,” said Keith Bendyk, President, JPS Composite Materials. “By combining AGY’s specialty fiber technology with JPS’s fabric expertise, we are enabling domestic production of a material that is critical to AI infrastructure and advanced semiconductor packaging.”
The AGY and JPS collaboration support broader U.S. initiatives to localize critical semiconductor materials, enhance supply chain security, and advance domestic manufacturing capabilities in support of AI, aerospace, defense, and high-performance computing markets.
Initial production is underway, with customer qualifications in progress.
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
AI Demand Drives PCB Material Market Growth
05/08/2026 | TPCAAs AI computing continues to drive a comprehensive upgrade in hardware specifications, the global printed circuit board industry is undergoing a profound structural transformation.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/01/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007If it feels like the PCB industry is accelerating faster than ever, you’re not imagining it. From advanced materials driven by AI applications to renewed investment in domestic manufacturing—and the next generation stepping into critical roles—there’s a lot shifting at once. My selections for this week highlight where the pressure points are forming, and where the opportunities are emerging.
Electronics Manufacturing Needs Your Voice: Global Sentiment Survey Now Live
04/30/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationThe latest monthly Global Sentiment Survey from the Global Electronics Association is now open. At a time when demand uncertainty, policy shifts, energy costs, and supply chain recalibration are pulling the industry in multiple directions, the survey captures something macroeconomic data often misses: how manufacturers are actually experiencing conditions on the ground.
From Backbone to Breakthroughs: I-Connect007 Wraps PCB Materials Series with Focus on Innovation
05/06/2026 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 wraps up its six-part podcast series, PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics, with Episode 6 and a discussion focusing on innovation. In Episode 6, Marcy LaRont speaks with Isola CTO Kirk Thompson about a critical turning point for the PCB industry as innovation accelerates. As data rates climb and demands from AI infrastructure, power density, flexible electronics, photonics, and chiplet integration intensify, traditional material assumptions are no longer sufficient.
Jiva Soluboard Getting the Attention It Deserves
04/30/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007 MagazineJiva is a newer company that bridges the divide between PCB fabrication and product circularity or sustainability. Jiva Soluboard is the first fully recyclable laminate material ever created for PCB fabrication, and it's not going unnoticed. Stephen Driver, CEO of Jiva, gave us an update at APEX EXPO, including an exciting certification achievement in February.