Murata Phases Out Some MLCC Products, Plans Capacity Boost for AI Servers

Murata, the Japanese leader in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), announced in September 2026 that it will cease production of certain MLCC products while expanding other capacity. The phase-out covers specific part numbers in consumer-grade general-purpose series and automotive-grade series. Customers have been asked to submit written responses by the end of 2027 and place final orders by March 2028.

At the same time, Murata plans to raise its production capacity for MLCCs used in AI servers by 20% in the fiscal year ending March 2028 compared with current levels. The company's executive vice president said it is evaluating a bolder-than-usual capacity expansion plan, possibly including new large-scale plants in Japan and overseas. He expects MLCC demand for AI applications to keep growing at least until 2028, with demand expanding from AI data centers to on-device AI, including robots. Murata has invested in Noetra, a physical AI company backed by SoftBank and more than 40 other firms, to explore component applications and packaging challenges.

On pricing, Murata said it maintains its basic policy of pricing based on long-term trust with customers rather than frequent adjustments with supply-demand fluctuations, while closely monitoring rivals and market trends. TrendForce's survey shows Samsung Electro-Mechanics led price increases for OEM and ODM customers in the fourth quarter of 2026, with consumer-grade X5R products rising by an average of 25%-30%. Analysts expect the shift by Japanese and Korean leaders toward high-end specifications to benefit domestic Chinese manufacturers with high-capacitance, high-voltage and automotive-grade MLCC production capabilities.