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AI chip supply chain strained by ABF substrate bottleneck

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

The semiconductor industry faces a critical bottleneck in the supply of ABF substrates, essential components for high-performance CPUs, GPUs, and AI accelerators. Demand has surged due to the AI boom, with companies like Nvidia alone shipping millions of AI accelerators that rely on these substrates. The supply chain is highly concentrated, with Ajinomoto controlling over 95% of the market for the key material, Ajinomoto build-up film (ABF). Manufacturers are also encountering technical challenges as substrates grow larger and incorporate more layers to accommodate increasing complexity, leading to issues like warpage and yield loss. The industry is exploring solutions including expanding ABF production capacity and developing alternative technologies like glass-core substrates. AI

IMPACT The AI boom is straining the supply of essential ABF substrates, potentially limiting the production of next-generation AI accelerators and driving innovation in alternative materials.

RANK_REASON Article discusses a critical supply chain bottleneck for AI accelerators, impacting major chip manufacturers and material suppliers. [lever_c_demoted from significant: ic=1 ai=0.7]

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AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

AI chip supply chain strained by ABF substrate bottleneck

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23 / 100
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Article discusses a critical supply chain bottleneck for AI accelerators, impacting major chip manufacturers and material suppliers. [lever_c_demoted from significant: ic=1 ai=0.7]
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High
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Tom's Hardware TIER_1 English(EN) · Etiido Uko ·

    The state of ABF substrates in data center silicon in 2026 — solving the supply crunch and material wall beneath every AI accelerator

    ABF substrates underpin today’s most advanced AI chips, but soaring demand and expanding accelerator packages are creating new supply and technical bottlenecks that the industry is currently racing to resolve

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