A shortage of high-specification multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) — a critical passive component found in virtually all electronic devices — could materialise in the second half of 2026, according to market research firm TrendForce, which published its findings on the 6th.
TrendForce reported that book-to-bill ratios at Japanese and South Korean MLCC manufacturers have risen sharply in recent months, reaching post-pandemic highs. The surge reflects demand for high-capacity, high-performance MLCCs outstripping available supply as investment in AI infrastructure accelerates.
The firm warned that if the trend continues, a genuine supply shortage in the high-end MLCC segment could emerge by late 2026. Demand for high-voltage, compact, high-capacitance MLCCs is growing rapidly, driven by the proliferation of AI servers and data centres. However, these products are technically demanding to manufacture, making it difficult to expand production capacity in the near term.
Should leading suppliers — including Japan's Murata and TDK, and South Korea's Samsung Electro-Mechanics — prove unable to meet market demand, TrendForce cautioned that AI server manufacturers could face significant delays in component delivery, disrupting their production schedules.