Machine-translated from Japanese. Please refer to the original for technical details.
Last Updated: November 1, 2026
[Latest – November 1, 2026] Murata Manufacturing to Invest Approximately 1 Trillion Yen from FY2026 to FY2030 to Expand MLCC Production Capacity
Primary manufacturer information released on October 30: Murata Manufacturing announced that it will invest a total of approximately 1 trillion yen over the five-year period from fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2030 to meet the medium- to long-term growth in demand for MLCCs.Approximately 350 billion yen will be allocated to facilities and approximately 650 billion yen to production equipment, with the goal of more than doubling MLCC sales in fiscal year 2030 compared to fiscal year 2025.
Confirmed Facts and Unconfirmed Details
- Confirmed: The company will proceed with the construction of new production buildings, the installation of equipment, and capacity expansions at existing facilities at its domestic and overseas locations. In Japan, new production buildings will be constructed in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, and Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, and investments will also be made in overseas locations, including the Philippines and Thailand.
- Okayama Plan: The total investment amounts to approximately 150 billion yen. Construction of the MLCC production building is scheduled to begin in April 2027 and be completed by the end of 2028, while the production building for sheets and raw materials is scheduled for completion in 2030.
- Overseas Plans: In the Philippines, the company will install equipment and infrastructure in unused sections of an existing facility, with completion scheduled for 2027. The new production facility in Thailand is scheduled for completion in 2030.
- Unconfirmed: Murata Manufacturing has not disclosed the specific production increases by part number, monthly production capacity, supply quotas for individual customers, prices, or delivery times. Based on this plan alone, it is not possible to conclude that the shortage of high-capacity MLCCs in the first half of 2027 will be resolved.
Impact on Procurement
This investment is aimed at strengthening the medium- to long-term supply base, with a focus not only on AI data centers but also on edge devices, mobility, and robotics.However, the completion of the main new production buildings is scheduled for the period from 2027 to 2030. Therefore, regarding the immediate shortage of high-capacity MLCCs, it is necessary to assess the production increase plans separately from the supply status of individual part numbers.
Actions Purchasing Personnel Should Take
- Compile a list of all Murata Manufacturing MLCC part numbers, monthly usage volumes, current inventory levels, outstanding orders, and required quantities through the first half of 2027.
- Confirm with authorized distributors the guaranteed delivery dates by part number, supply allocations, price revision notices, and the availability of alternative candidates.
- When evaluating alternatives, verify capacitance, rated voltage, temperature characteristics, DC bias, case size, and quality certification requirements.
- If utilizing overseas inventory, verify the date code, lot number, packaging, storage conditions, and traceability.
Practical Comments from AI Components
The investment of approximately 1 trillion yen indicates that Murata Manufacturing anticipates medium- to long-term growth in MLCC demand. However, the announcement of capital expenditures does not necessarily reflect current supply capacity. Please confirm the required quantities and guaranteed delivery dates for each specific part number, starting with high-capacity and high-reliability products, which are most significantly affected by the suspension of mass production.
Consultation on MLCC Supply Allocations and Alternative Product Sourcing
Please provide the manufacturer name, complete part number (MPN), required quantity, desired delivery date, target price, and whether substitutes are available. AI Components will verify potential domestic and international sourcing candidates—primarily through authorized distributors—as well as delivery timelines and substitution possibilities on a case-by-case basis.
Consult AI Components About MLCC Procurement
Firsthand Information from Manufacturers
The following updates are from before October 30, 2026.
[Latest – October 30, 2026] Supply Tightness for High-Capacity MLCCs Expected to Continue Through the First Half of 2027 | For AI Servers, DDR5, and Optical Communications
Market Research Report Published on October 29: TrendForce announced its forecast that supply shortages of high-capacity MLCCs for AI applications will continue through the first half of 2027, driven by growing demand for server CPUs, DDR5, and power modules resulting from the widespread adoption of AI inference and AI agents.The report also highlights the view of ODMs that the shortage of high-performance products will be most severe during the first and second quarters of 2027. This is a forecast based on market research and does not constitute a definitive confirmation of shortages for all manufacturers or all part numbers.
Distinguishing Between Verified Facts and Market Forecasts
- Confirmed: TrendForce published the above research findings on October 29, 2026. The report states that demand is centered on high-capacity MLCCs for CPU boards, DDR5 memory modules, and power supply-related applications, and that supply constraints are also spreading to certain grades used in optical communication modules.
- Market Outlook: Expanding shipments of NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin platform and component procurement for AMD’s MI450 are driving demand for high-performance MLCCs, and supply tightness may persist through the first half of 2027.Price negotiations for the first quarter of 2027 are expected to begin in November 2026, and while price increases by Japanese manufacturers are anticipated, these are not yet confirmed as uniform price adjustments.
- Product Line Differences: According to the same survey, spot prices for low- to medium-capacity MLCCs for consumer electronics fell by approximately 5% in early October 2026. High-performance products and general-purpose products should not be treated with the same shortage and price increase rates.
- Unconfirmed: This survey alone cannot confirm domestic and international inventory levels for individual MPNs, manufacturer-guaranteed delivery dates, allocation quantities, the official 2027 price list, individual EOL/PCN notices, or actual supply discontinuations by manufacturer.
Impact on Purchasing, Materials, and SCM Personnel in Japan
Even for industrial and telecommunications equipment other than AI servers, supply quotas may compete if MLCCs with the same capacity, size, and temperature characteristics are used. However, excessive pre-purchasing of general-purpose products can lead to inventory write-downs; therefore, please verify demand, actual delivery times, suppliers, and the approval period for substitutes for each specific part number.
Actions Procurement Personnel Should Take
- Extract the complete MLCC part numbers, capacitance, rated voltage, temperature characteristics, case size, monthly usage volume, current inventory, and outstanding orders from the BOMs for the fourth quarter of 2026 through the first half of 2027.
- Separate high-capacity and high-reliability items from general-purpose items, and inquire with authorized distributors and manufacturers regarding supply quotas for the first half of 2027, committed quantities, quote validity periods, and whether any official notifications regarding price revisions have been issued.
- Evaluate alternative candidates with the design and quality departments based on effective capacitance under DC bias, ESR/ESL, temperature characteristics, PCB mounting, and AEC-Q200 compliance, as necessary.
- When utilizing overseas inventory, verify the lot, date code, packaging, and traceability, and cross-check them against mass production qualification requirements.
Practical Comments from AI Components
This information is not a warning that “all MLCCs will be in short supply,” but rather indicates that the polarization between high-capacity products and general-purpose consumer products may continue through the first half of 2027. It is important to compare multiple supply routes—primarily through authorized distributors—and simultaneously manage the required quantities for long-term mass production and the time required for evaluating alternatives.
Consultation on MLCC Supply Allocations, Pricing, and Alternative Sourcing
Please provide the manufacturer name, complete part number (MPN), required quantity, desired delivery date, target price, and whether a substitute is possible. If known, please also provide the application, annual usage volume, temperature characteristics, and quality certification requirements. Availability, pricing, and delivery dates cannot be guaranteed prior to an individual inquiry.
Consult AI Components Regarding MLCC Procurement
Preliminary Research Information
The following updates are as of September 2026.
Against the backdrop of growing demand for AI servers, the MLCC (multi-layer ceramic capacitor) procurement environment is not characterized by a “general shortage”; rather, a clear polarization is emerging between high-capacity, high-reliability products and general-purpose products.Purchasing and materials managers in Japan should not assess MLCCs as a single, homogeneous category; instead, they must verify the temperature characteristics, capacitance, rated voltage, size, automotive grade, and actual delivery times for each specific part number.
Confirmed Facts
According to a market report as of September 22, 2026, orders for high-performance AI-grade MLCCs from some Chinese suppliers are reportedly backlogged through the second quarter of 2027. On the other hand, there have been reports of spot prices declining for certain generic products in the Chinese distribution market following a sharp surge at the end of June.While some analyses suggest that prices for certain products in the South Korean market rose by approximately 280% in one month, this does not imply a uniform, official price increase across all manufacturers’ products. With tight supply of high-performance products and price adjustments for general-purpose products occurring simultaneously, it cannot be concluded that “there is a uniform shortage of MLCCs overall.”
TrendForce forecasts that Samsung Electro-Mechanics will raise prices for OEMs and ODMs in the fourth quarter of 2026 by an average of 25–30% for consumer-grade X5R products and by an average of 10–20% for high-performance X6S products intended for AI servers.Furthermore, as of June, the book-to-bill ratios stood at 1.30 for Murata Manufacturing, 1.31 for Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and 1.25 for Taiyo Yuden, with orders exceeding shipments in all cases.
On September 1, Samsung Electro-Mechanics officially announced a long-term contract worth approximately 1.0722 trillion won to supply MLCCs for AI servers from January through December 2027. The company states that it has concluded long-term supply contracts with more than 10 global customers.
Meanwhile, there have been reports that Murata Manufacturing has notified customers of the end of production for certain general-purpose, industrial, and automotive MLCCs.However, based on publicly available primary sources that we have been able to verify at this time, we have not been able to confirm a complete list of affected MPNs. Therefore, the EOL, last order date, and last shipment date for individual part numbers must always be confirmed via the manufacturer’s PCN or information from authorized distributors.
Update September 24: End-of-production information has been reported for certain part numbers in Murata Manufacturing’s GRM, GRJ, GRT, GXM, GXT, GCM, GCJ, GCG, and ZRA series. This does not apply to the entire series.While the reported final order date is March 31, 2028, and the final shipment date is March 31, 2029, please verify the affected MPNs via the manufacturer’s PCN or an authorized distributor.
September 29 Update: TDK and Taiyo Yuden Consider Business Alliance for MLCCs and Inductors
On September 29, 2026, TDK and Taiyo Yuden signed a memorandum of understanding to begin exploring a business alliance centered on the joint development of advanced electronic components such as MLCCs and inductors. In addition to joint development, the two companies stated they would also explore collaboration in manufacturing and procurement.
The companies explained that demand for high-capacity, high-reliability MLCCs and inductors is increasing in tandem with the expansion of generative AI, AI data centers, AI servers, and physical AI.They are also considering the possibility of a future capital alliance, as well as applying to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) for certification of a joint supply assurance plan and for support. However, no decisions have been made at this time regarding specific product models, the extent of production capacity expansion, supply volumes, price revisions, or the implementation of a capital alliance.
A key point regarding procurement practices is not to conclude, based solely on this announcement, that “there will be a shortage of MLCCs manufactured by TDK and Taiyo Yuden” or that “prices will rise across the board.”On the other hand, the fact that these two major manufacturers are considering not only development but also collaboration in manufacturing and procurement indicates that they view high-capacity, high-reliability electronic components for AI as a priority market in the medium to long term.For high-capacity, high-voltage-rated, low-ESL, and automotive/industrial-certified products, it is necessary to confirm delivery times, second-source options, and substitution feasibility for each specific part number.
Impact on Procurement
If production capacity is prioritized for high-capacity, high-reliability MLCCs for AI servers, delivery times and price differences may widen even within the same X5R series, depending on capacity, size, and rated voltage.On the other hand, for general-purpose products, prices for some part numbers may stabilize as distribution inventory is cleared; therefore, in mass-production BOMs, it is important to verify delivery times, prices, allocations, and EOL risks for each specific part number, rather than treating them as a single “MLCC” category.
This is particularly true for automotive and industrial equipment, where simple substitution with components from another manufacturer may not be feasible. Substituting components without verifying capacitance, rated voltage, temperature characteristics, DC bias, size, and AEC-Q200 compliance may necessitate design changes or re-evaluation.
Actions Procurement Personnel Should Take
- Compile a list of the complete part numbers (MPNs) in use, annual usage quantities, current inventory levels, and outstanding orders for major manufacturers such as Murata Manufacturing, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and Taiyo Yuden
- Confirm the latest delivery dates, price revisions, allocation status, and any PCN/EOL notices through official channels
- Prioritize high-capacity, automotive, and long-lead-time items, and evaluate secondary sources in advance with the design department.
- When utilizing overseas inventory, verify the date code, lot number, manufacturer’s label, traceability, storage conditions, and required inspection criteria
- Make procurement decisions based not only on spot prices but also on production plans and required quantities through 2027
Regarding the memory supply structure driven by AI server demand, please also refer to the article on DRAM and HBM supply shortages.
Practical Comments from AI Components
The key point here is not that “there is a blanket shortage of all MLCCs.” Currently, a polarization is underway: while supply and demand are tightening for high-capacity, high-reliability products intended for AI servers, prices for some general-purpose models are adjusting due to inventory releases and variations in demand.When it comes to procurement, rather than simply increasing purchases across the board based on news reports, it is more effective to identify critical part numbers on the BOM and individually verify manufacturer PCNs, actual delivery times, availability of alternatives, and required quantities.
Checking MLCC Inventory, Lead Times, and Alternatives
If you require urgent procurement of MLCCs, items with long lead times, potential EOL products, or a search for alternatives, please provide the manufacturer name, part number (MPN), required quantity, desired delivery date, current price or target price, and whether a substitute is available.At AI Components, we review potential sourcing options both domestically and internationally, and organize inventory, lead times, prices, and substitution possibilities on a case-by-case basis. We do not guarantee in advance any inventory, prices, or lead times that have not yet been confirmed.
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Related manufacturers: Murata Manufacturing