2026 MLCC Supply Outlook & Hongda Capacitors Advantages

2026-06-06

The global MLCC market is in a structural high-end shortage as of mid-2026, driven by AI infrastructure expansion and tight capacity at leading manufacturers.

Current MLCC Shortage Status

Murata, Samsung，Taiyo Yuden control ~77% of global high-end MLCC capacity, with utilization rates at 90–95%, leaving no spare room for sudden demand surges. The biggest driver is AI server growth: one Nvidia GB200 server uses ~6,500 MLCCs, while the upcoming Rubin platform (H2 2026) will require 12,000 MLCCs per unit—5–10× the volume of traditional servers. Although AI servers account for only 2–3% of total MLCC units, they consume ~15% of high-grade capacity, squeezing allocations for automotive and industrial applications.

Since February 2026, high-cap MLCC prices have risen 15–20%, with AI-specific grades jumping 50–60%. Lead times have extended from 6–8 weeks to 4–6 months, and channel inventory stands at just 1–1.5 months—far below the 4.5-month historical average. The global supply gap reaches approximately 400 billion units annually, with high-cap and automotive-grade MLCCs short by 8.2%. Chinese manufacturers remain limited to low-end segments, with a 2–3 year certification lag for AI and automotive grades.

2026 Supply Outlook

The high-end MLCC shortage will persist throughout H2 2026, with no meaningful relief until early 2027. High-grade MLCC fabs require 1.5–2 years for construction, plus 12+ months for precision equipment delivery and yield optimization. Murata’s ¥56 billion server-focused capacity expansion will enter mass production only in Q4 2026, while SEMCO’s high-end ramp is delayed to Q1 2027.

Prices are expected to rise further by 20–30% for general high-cap MLCCs and 30–50% for ultra-high-cap grades in H2 2026, aligned with Rubin server deployment. Marginal easing may occur for commodity-grade MLCCs in late Q4 2026 as non-optimized lines shift to general-purpose production.

Why Choose Hongda Capacitors

Solving MLCC Shortage Challenges

If you are facing:

Long MLCC lead times

Allocation from major brands (Murata, TDK, etc.)

Shortage of popular part numbers

Increasing procurement risks

Our semi-finished MLCC solution can help you secure supply and stabilize production

Hongda Capacitors stands out as your reliable solution amid the tight supply landscape. As the best alternative choice for Tier 1 brands, our MLCCs match the performance and reliability of Murata, AVX, and Johanson,TDK, Walsin, Sumsang...

We boast huge production capacity with 5 advanced lines, enabling us to meet large-scale project demands without compromising lead times.

As an AVL supplier to Foxconn, Sanmina, and Celestica, we have a proven track record in serving top-tier EMS and ODM partners.

Despite industry-wide delays, we maintain fast lead times by prioritizing customer orders on a first-come, first-served basis, helping you secure critical components and mitigate supply chain risks.

Welcome to share your inquiry via emily@hongdacap.com.hk