Fabio Puccia Modica, Chief Commercial Officer of Alba PCB, shakes up European industry: ‘We are investing billions in silicon, while forgetting the body that supports it.’

For years, the printed circuit board remained outside the public debate on innovation. Invisible, taken for granted, relegated to a cost item in procurement spreadsheets. Yet today, in the midst of Europe’s race for technological sovereignty, that very ‘piece of fiberglass and copper’ risks becoming the real bottleneck of advanced electronics. While Brussels invests billions in semiconductors and major OEMs talk about reshoring and resilience, the PCB supply chain continues to exist in a grey area: strategic in practice, ignored by industrial policy.
It is a paradox that risks undermining every ambition for the continent’s digital autonomy. We discussed it, without mincing words, with Fabio Puccia Modica, Chief Commercial Officer of Alba PCB Group and a privileged observer of a sector he knows from the inside. What emerges is a clear, at times uncomfortable analysis that challenges established dogmas: from the myth of ‘lowest cost’ to dependence on Asia, from the role of procurement to the shortsightedness of European institutions. More than an interview, it is an open letter.
And one question remains hanging: can we really talk about digital sovereignty without controlling the physical infrastructure on which electronics rests?

For years, the PCB was regarded as a commodity. Is that era really over?

For decades, we treated it as a ‘commodity’: a flat sheet of fiberglass, copper and chemicals to be purchased at the lowest possible price, preferably in a container arriving from Asia. But today, anyone sitting at the tables where the future of electronics is being decided—from AI servers to next-generation automotive—knows that the music has changed. The printed circuit board is no longer an accessory. It is the critical link, the strategic infrastructure that enables the system. And yet, while Europe mobilizes through the European Chips Act, it seems to have forgotten one fundamental detail: a chip without a package and without a PCB is not a system; it is merely a useless piece of silicon.

Are you saying that European industry is taking the wrong approach?

The PCB is a strategic asset, not a unit cost. We need to say this clearly: the ‘lowest-cost wins’ logic has been killed off by the semiconductor crisis and geopolitical tensions. Value has shifted dramatically from cost per unit to technological capability and

supply-chain reliability. Today, growth is no longer measured in square metres, but in technological density. We are talking about HDI (High Density Interconnect), advanced substrates, and rigid-flex for 800G networks. It is a ‘premium’ market in which Europe, although marginal in mass-market volumes, still maintains excellence in high-value niches such as aerospace, defence and power electronics. But how much longer can we hold out if we do not reverse our political course?

How dangerous is the dependence on Asia that everyone talks about, but few seem willing to address?

Our dependence on Asia is almost total. We are not talking only about the physical production of the circuit board, but about its very foundations: copper, glass fibres and high-speed laminates. The concentration of production in China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea creates a geopolitical risk that no strategy can truly mitigate. We are facing a paradox: Europe invests billions in silicon, but neglects the ‘body’ that has to host it. If we really want to talk about technological sovereignty, we must include PCBs in European industrial policy. It is impossible to guarantee European sovereignty in semiconductors without European manufacturing capacity in printed circuit boards.

Procurement, however, still reasons almost exclusively in terms of price. Who needs to change?

I believe we need a call to arms for strategic sourcing. Procurement must evolve. We can no longer afford to involve the PCB supplier only downstream of the design phase. The model must be integrated Design for Manufacturing, with the PCB manufacturer entering the process already at the design stage. In this scenario, the transition towards a Strategic Redundancy model is no longer merely an option, but an imperative to safeguard Europe’s technological autonomy in the face of production concentration in China. It therefore becomes essential to secure the supply chain through a nearby European partner for prototyping and production, while at the same time integrating qualified and independent channels for cutting-edge technologies.

If you could speak directly to Brussels, what would you ask for?

I would propose a Manifesto for European Electronics. If we want to preserve the know-how of our engineers and the resilience of our factories, we need concrete action, not just market analysis. In my view, these are the key points:

• extend the Chips Act to the PCB supply chain, encouraging investment in HDI technologies and substrates;

• ensure competitively priced energy, because PCB production is energy-intensive and, without controlled energy costs, the competition with Asian giants is lost from the outset;

• implement tax credits and incentives for companies investing in automation and sustainability in Europe;

• protect critical materials and guarantee access to Western-produced laminates, copper foil and glass fabric.

To conclude, why should an OEM choose Europe today, against every cost-driven logic?

Europe does not compete on volumes, but on ‘trust’. Traceability, data security, protection of intellectual property and regulatory compliance: this is our added value. It is time to stop looking at the price list and start looking at the geopolitical map and the technology roadmap. The PCB is the infrastructure on which the continent’s digital future rests, and it is time to treat it as such!

L'articolo There is no digital sovereignty without the printed circuit board (interview in AV Elettronica) proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

This certification confirms that the company implements a structured system to manage and monitor environmental aspects related to its operations, in compliance with the ISO 14001:2015 standard and according to the requirements of the ACCREDIA RT-09 Technical Regulation.

For our customers, this represents a tangible guarantee: choosing Alba Elettronica means relying on a partner committed to process quality, environmental responsibility, and continuous improvement.

This achievement confirms the company’s commitment to a more conscious, sustainable, and future-oriented growth.

L'articolo Environmental Management: Alba Elettronica achieves ISO 14001:2015 certification proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

The printed circuit board (PCB) sector is undergoing a period of significant change. The growth of artificial intelligence, geopolitical instability, and supply chain tensions are putting increased pressure on global production, making procurement management more complex. In this scenario, price is no longer the only decisive criterion: material availability and supply continuity have taken on primary importance. To avoid the consequences of this situation, it is necessary to plan further ahead and build a supply chain that is more secure, flexible, and capable of responding to market challenges, both now and in the future.

The Alba PCB Group solution: A secure and flexible supply chain

Alba PCB Group supports its customers with a production model designed to ensure greater operational continuity and reduce risks related to material availability. Our strategy is based on two main pillars:

• Production in Asia

For programmable volumes, we work with advance supply planning, allowing us to optimally manage timelines, production capacity, and material availability.

• Production Backup in Italy

Our facility in Mogliano Veneto (Treviso) serves as a local production hub, capable of offering increased security and continuity in the event of critical issues or urgent needs.

This dual capability allows us to be more flexible and support our customers even in a complex and ever-evolving market environment. Today, the true priority is not just buying at the best price, but securing your supply chain. That is why Alba PCB Group works every day to build a solid partnership with its customers, focused on continuity, planning, and risk management.

L'articolo PCB: Supply continuity is becoming decisive. Alba PCB Group can ensure it proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

We will be joined by Q-print, a member of our group, to showcase the wide range of products and services we offer to companies across Europe seeking high-quality printed circuit board solutions.

We look forward to welcoming you to our booth!

It will be a great opportunity to discover how we can support your business, exchange ideas, share expertise, and stay updated on the latest innovations in the PCB industry.

We are ready to work together to find the best solution for your specific needs.

Hall 3A – Booth 333.

> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

L'articolo Alba PCB Group at Embedded World 2026 proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

The LDI Ledia system from the Japanese company Screen Research, which we have recently installed, represents one of today’s most advanced benchmarks for the Direct Imaging of photoresist and soldermask. Its multi-wavelength UV-LED technology ensures maximum exposure precision, setting itself apart from traditional laser systems through its energy efficiency and reduced heat generation.

Ledia enables the fast and accurate printing of both the internal and external layers of the PCB, as well as the soldermask, delivering results of absolute excellence:
• Resolution of 10,160 DPI (2.5 µm);
• Perfect adhesion to the contour and shape of the substrate.

This further investment confirms our commitment to maintaining our Italian production facility at the highest technological standards.

L'articolo Italian Production Facility: second Direct Imaging System in Cleanroom proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for qualified skills and international certifications from electronic companies operating in Poland, a market experiencing significant industrial and technological growth.

Training Provided by Master IPC Trainers
A distinctive element of this collaboration will be the direct presence of Master IPC Trainers, highly qualified individuals authorized to provide training and certification according to international IPC standards.

The courses will be conducted in English (or with local support, if requested) and will offer a comprehensive, professional training experience that can be immediately applied in production contexts. Each training module will feature:
• Practical and interactive approach, with real examples and focus on industrial cases
• Official IPC material updated to the latest regulatory revision
• Training and certification sessions compliant with globally recognized IPC standards

Which Courses Will Be Offered?
The training program will include, among others:
• IPC-A-610 – Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 – Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies
• IPC-7711/7721 – Rework, Repair, and Modification Techniques
• IPC J-STD-001 – Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies
• Customized modules on manual soldering, visual inspection, conformal coating, and SMT production processes

Courses will be available in shared mode, in classes already scheduled on the calendar, or dedicated, upon customer request, at locations in Poland provided by Alba PCB, at our company or at the customer’s premises (for a minimum of 4 participants).

An Opportunity for the Development of the Electronics Supply Chain in Poland
The alliance between GESTLABS and Alba PCB represents a concrete investment in the development of local skills, offering Polish companies the opportunity to:
• Access international excellence training without traveling abroad
• Elevate to the quality standards required by global customers
• Improve competitiveness and the quality of internal processes

L'articolo GESTLABS and Alba PCB Announce a Strategic Partnership to Bring IPC Training to Poland proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

Do you need even larger PCBs?
Our team of technical experts is always available to provide you with customised technical advice. Whether you need assistance with specific production details, finishing options, or face complex design challenges, we will guide you in identifying the most suitable production technologies for your project.

Contact us for any information
info@alba-pcb.com

L'articolo Alba PCB Group: New Horizons for Large Format Printed Circuit Boards proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

The film – recently selected at 3rd Film Impresa Award – offers an insider’s look at the manufacturing process behind our printed circuit boards (PCBs), the basis of every electronic product. It also tells the story of Alba PCB Group and Arduino, and the philosophy the two companies share.

In fact, this partnership goes beyond just manufacturing: it is based on a shared commitment to creating the best tools to support people on their journey. For Alba PCB Group, it means flexibility and creativity: solutions tailored to customers’ needs, turning challenges into opportunities.

For Arduino, this means making affordable, open-source solutions that make complex technology simple for everyone.

“Alba PCB Group represents the kind of industrial craftsmanship that is part of Italian DNA-where precision meets creativity. Working with them reminds me that innovating is not just about creating something new, it’s about building on history and doing things right. This documentary beautifully captures that spirit: a celebration of the people, processes and values that shape technology from the ground up.” – Massimo Banzi, Co-Founder of Arduino

Together, infusing good design and high quality at every stage, combining human expertise with the precision of technology, we strive to go further, to add a significant chapter to the history of technology – on the shoulders of giants, like Olivetti.

L'articolo Behind the printed circuit board: How Alba PCB Group and Arduino bring Made in Italy innovation to life proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

Italian director Massimiliano Finazzer Flory signs this documentary, made in collaboration with Arduino, which tells – through the voices of Alberto Bacchin, co-founder of Alba PCB Group and Massimo Banzi co-founder of Arduino – the birth of a Made in Italy excellence.

Watch the trailer and follow us not to miss the film.

L'articolo Watch the trailer of ‘A different Alba: Arduino, an Italian invention’ proviene da ALBA PCB Group.

DESIRE4EU deploys innovative technologies to develop and manufacture efficient, sustainable, and circular printed circuit boards (PCBs).

In recent decades, the exponential growth of electronic waste has become one of the most pressing global environmental challenges. According to projections, the volume of this type of waste will exceed 80 million tons per year by 2030. However, despite the urgency of the issue, less than a quarter of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is properly collected and recycled.

Among the most critical components are PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), which account for a significant share of the total and pose major recycling challenges due to their complex composition.

Improper PCB management not only exacerbates environmental impact, posing serious risks to human health, but also results in significant economic losses: every year, valuable materials worth billions of euros are lost, ending up in landfills or incinerators instead of being recovered and reintroduced into production cycles.

In this context, the importance of innovative and sustainable solutions such as the DESIRE4EU project emerges. Promoted by the Innovation Council of the European Community, DESIRE4EU aims to radically transform the electronics sector by developing sustainable, circular, and reliable multilayer circuits on an industrial scale. Thanks to a revolutionary bioleaching process, which combines energy efficiency with low pollution levels, it will also be possible to recover materials, further reducing environmental impact.

These PCBs will be produced entirely in Europe using biodegradable and bio-based materials, helping to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and promoting a production model aligned with the principles of the circular economy. DESIRE4EU is led by a consortium of prestigious international partners, including the Grenoble Institute of Technology, under the guidance of Prof. Pascal Xavier.

Other participants include prominent academic institutions such as the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the Catholic University of Leuven, and the SiNano Institute. On the industrial front, leading companies such as Arduino, ABchimie, Meshining, and ALBA PCB Group play a strategic role.

With over forty years of experience in the development and production of electronic boards, ALBA PCB Group stands out for its highly specialized innovations and know-how, enabling it to meet the needs of key sectors such as automotive, industrial, aerospace, military, medical, and energy.
The ALBA Elettronica plant in Mogliano Veneto is the operational hub for many activities, contributing to the development of bio-based materials, the definition of design guidelines, and the implementation of the production technologies necessary to create the new generation of eco-friendly electronic circuits. These circuits will undergo rigorous validation sessions, conducted in collaboration with research centers and based on IPC standards, to ensure technical quality and reliability under real-world conditions. ALBA is also responsible for technology transfer activities, ensuring that the innovations developed are concretely applied in the electronics industry.

The project stands out for its highly interdisciplinary approach, which has enabled the development of advanced technologies capable of meeting the highest market standards. DESIRE4EU represents a paradigm shift for the sector, demonstrating that it is possible to produce completely eco-friendly, industrially viable, and cost-effective electronic circuits in Europe.

The European Green Deal and new EU directives are already transforming the industrial landscape, imposing increasingly stringent standards in terms of sustainability and emissions. In the coming years, electronics manufacturers will be required to rethink their design strategies, shifting toward eco-compatible materials and production processes. This initiative reaffirms ALBA PCB Group’s commitment to promoting responsible management along the entire electronics industry supply chain, in line with the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Chips Act, and the Critical Raw.
Materials Act of the European Union-key pillars for ensuring a future that is technologically autonomous and environmentally sustainable.

As Antonello Pramaggiore, Director of Marketing and Business Development at ALBA PCB Group and head of DESIRE4EU activities, emphasizes: “Although challenging, this transition represents an extraordinary opportunity for the electronics industry to innovate, improve efficiency, and enhance competitiveness in a market that is increasingly moving toward eco-friendly solutions.
The growing interest from major global manufacturers of electronic devices and systems highlights how environmental responsibility has become a priority for the future of the industry. We are working to combine sustainability, innovation, and industrial feasibility, using bio-based and biodegradable materials that respect the environment without compromising performance. The project aims not only to revolutionize electronic circuit production but also to strengthen technological independence by creating an entirely European production model capable of competing in the global market while supporting a circular economy.”

> Here is the original article on “Il Sole 24 Ore”

L'articolo Il Sole 24 Ore: DESIRE4EU revolutionizes the electronics industry with sustainability in mind proviene da ALBA PCB Group.