Supply of copper foils will likely fall short of demand in 2011 and 2012, being constrained by major makers' relatively conservative expansion plans, according to Tony Ke, president of Taiwan-based Co-Tech Copper Foil.

Ke indicated that Japan-based fellow copper foil producers, which populate the market, remain cautious about expanding their capacities. Taiwan-based Chang Chun has also not disclosed any expansion plans, Ke added.

Co-Tech has scaled up its monthly capacity to 1,500 tons of copper foils since early 2010, and new capacity for 2011 will not be significant, Ke said. Ke revealed that the company plans to add only 100-200 tons of copper foils monthly next year.

In other news, Co-Tech will raise its prices by 5% in October to reflect rising copper costs.