Publication Date: March 15, 2026
Source: Technology Center, Gongpin
Keywords: MLCC, AI Server, Capacitor, TDK, Murata, New Energy Vehicle
Summary
With the accelerated advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, the global multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) market is expected to experience explosive growth in 2026. Industry giants Murata and TDK are launching new products and expanding production capacity to meet the huge demand brought by AI servers, new energy vehicles, and 5G communications.
I. Market Size and Growth Forecast
1.1 MLCC Market Space
According to market research firm data, the global MLCC market size is expected to reach:
| Forecast Firm | Market Size | Compound Annual Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Market Data Forecast | $150.6 billion | 5.68% |
| Mordor Intelligence | $318.7 billion | 15.03% |
1.2 Growth Drivers
- Increased Demand for AI Servers – A single AI server requires up to 440,000 MLCCs, nine times more than traditional servers.
- Enhanced Penetration of New Energy Vehicles – High demand for on-board chargers (OBC) and battery management systems (BMS).
- Widespread Adoption of 5G Communication Equipment – Increased demand for high-frequency MLCCs in base stations and terminal devices.
- Innovations in Consumer Electronics – Continuous upgrades in smartphone and wearable device functionalities.
II. Industry Giants’ Dynamics
2.1 Murata (Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.)
Latest Products:
– Launched 1.25kV C0G MLCC mass production in January 2026.
– Suitable for EV on-board chargers and high-performance consumer electronics power supplies.
– Supports efficient power conversion with silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs.
Capacity Expansion:
– Announced a new MLCC factory in Japan in February 2024.
– Expected to be completed and operational by March 2026.
– Forecast for AI server MLCC shipments to increase to 30% CAGR (2025-2030).
Market Share:
– Market share in the global MLCC market exceeds 40%.
– Higher market share in the AI server domain.
2.2 TDK
New Product Launches:
– Expanded the X2 safety-rated film capacitor series in February 2026.
– Added industrial and automotive application series.
– Introduced two new DC Link capacitor series optimized for new energy vehicle OBCs.
Financial Performance:
– Significant year-over-year growth in revenue and profit for the 2026 fiscal Q3.
– Strong demand for ICT and HDD markets.
III. Changes Brought by AI Servers
3.1 Surge in MLCC Usage
| Server Type | MLCC Usage | Growth Multiple |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Server | ~50,000 pieces | 1x |
| AI Server | ~200,000 pieces | 4x |
| Advanced AI Racks | ~440,000 pieces | 9x |
3.2 Technical Requirements
AI servers have higher requirements for MLCCs:
- High Reliability – 24/7 continuous operation.
- Low ESR – Reduces power consumption and heat generation.
- High-Temperature Performance – Suitable for high-power density environments.
- Miniaturization – Achieving higher performance in limited space.
IV. Automotive Electronics Market
4.1 New Energy Vehicle OBC
New energy vehicle on-board chargers (OBCs) require a large number of high-voltage MLCCs:
- Voltage Level – Transition from 400V to 800V platforms.
- Capacitor Demand – Hundreds of MLCCs per OBC.
- Reliability Requirements – AEC-Q200 certification.
4.2 ADAS and Autonomous Driving
The demand for MLCCs in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) sensors and domain controllers is continuously growing.
V. Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities
5.1 Potential Issues
- Capacity Constraints – Intense competition for wafer and packaging capacity.
- Price Fluctuations – Supply and demand imbalances may lead to price increases.
- Technical Barriers – High-end products are still dominated by Japanese companies.
5.2 Development Opportunities
- Domestic Replacement – Rise of domestic MLCC companies.
- Material Innovation – GaN and SiC driving new capacitor demand.
- Application Innovation – New scenarios in industrial IoT and edge computing.
VI. Conclusion and Outlook
In 2026, the capacitor industry is expected to enter a golden development period driven by the AI wave. Leading companies like Murata and TDK are actively seizing market opportunities through new product development and capacity expansion. For electronic component distributors, following technological trends and optimizing product layouts will be key to competition.
Gongpin will continue to monitor industry dynamics and provide customers with high-quality MLCCs, film capacitors, and electrolytic capacitors, as well as technical support services.
This article is compiled and created by an AI content operation system for reference only.
