iNEMI Meetings in Asia Focus on 2009 Roadmap and HFR-Free Initiatives

SHANGHAI, CHINA (March 12, 2009) — The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) has scheduled an industry meeting in Taipei April 15 to discuss conversion to HFR-free PCB materials, and a forum on April 21 in Shanghai to discuss highlights of the 2009 iNEMI Roadmap.

HFR-Free Leadership Program

Several leading electronics companies have publicly stated their intent to remove halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) from some or all of their products, and there are more companies currently evaluating similar action.  iNEMI is working with our major OEM members to assess the feasibility of a broad conversion to HFR-free materials.  While IPC and JEDEC are developing halogen-free standard specifications and numerous companies have compliant materials, significant questions remain regarding overall readiness to make a transition to these materials.

Initial iNEMI activities will focus on two primary areas:  HFR-free signal integrity and PCB material development.  The goal of the meeting in Taipei is to increase participation in this effort among companies in Asia.

The April 15 meeting is an all-day forum (10:00-16:15) co-sponsored by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).  Participation is free and open to industry (iNEMI membership is not required). 

2009 iNEMI Roadmap

The 2009 iNEMI Roadmap, which is scheduled for release to industry in April, will be the focus of a technical session at SMTA China East on April 21 (10:15-12:00) in Shanghai.  This session will provide an overview of the 2009 iNEMI Roadmap along with discussions of the Board Assembly, Environmentally Conscious Electronics, and Test, Inspection & Measurement chapters.

The iNEMI Roadmap maps the future manufacturing technology needs of the global electronics industry in an effort to identify key technology and infrastructure developments needed to ensure the competitiveness of the supply chain over the next decade.  The iNEMI roadmap has become recognized as an important tool for defining the “state of the art” in the electronics industry as well as for identifying emerging and disruptive technologies.  It also helps set priorities for research and development over the next 10 years.  The 2009 Roadmap covers five product sectors and 20 technology and business topics.  

SMTA China East is scheduled in conjunction with NEPCON Shanghai (April 21-23) at the Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Center.  

About iNEMI
The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative’s mission is to identify and close technology gaps, which includes the development and integration of the electronics industry supply infrastructure.  This industry-led consortium is made up of more than 65 manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and consortia, government agencies and universities.  iNEMI roadmaps the needs of the electronics industry, identifies gaps in the technology infrastructure, establishes implementation projects to eliminate these gaps (both business and technical), and stimulates standards activities to speed the introduction of new technologies.  The consortium also works with government agencies, universities and other funding agencies to set priorities for future industry needs and R&D initiatives.  iNEMI is based in Herndon, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.), with regional offices in Shanghai, China and Limerick, Ireland.  For additional information about iNEMI, visit http://www.inemi.org.

For further information

Dr. Haley Fu, iNEMI-Asia
+86 21 5835 3839
haley.fu@inemi.org

Cynthia Williams, iNEMI-US
+1 207-871-1260
cwilliams@inemi.org