By Li Panpan

With the predicted number of global automotive MLCC consumption reaching 650 billion in 2025, Chinese MLCC players are working hard for a larger market share, following world-leading players from Japan and South Korea, said a JW Insights report on August 31. 

The global automotive MLCC (Multiplayer Ceramic Chip Capacitors) consumption is proliferating and reached 393.6 billion in 2021. JW Insights predicts that the MLCC consumption in the Chinese market will increase from about 150 billion in 2021 to over 280 billion in 2025, with its global share rising from 37.7% in 2021 to 43.5% in 2025.

New energy vehicles are becoming the main engine for the growth of automotive MLCCs. JW Insights predicts that China's consumption of new energy vehicle MLCCs will exceed that of traditional fuel vehicles in 2022. And it’s estimated that by 2025, the world's consumption of new energy vehicle MLCCs will reach 330 billion, more than that of traditional fuel vehicles, becoming the main growth driver of MLCCs after 5G. 

Currently, the automotive MLCC market is mainly controlled by Japanese companies, with Murata and TDK being the leading suppliers, followed by players from South Korea. 

Chinese companies Viiyong(微容科技), EYANG(宇阳科技), Fenghua(风华高科), and CCTC(三环集团) are expected to enter a period of heavy volume growth in 2024, said the JW Insights report.

A traditional fuel vehicle needs 3000-3500 pieces of MLCC distributed in various electronic systems, such as power, safety, comfort, and entertainment. With the trend of automotive electrification, more MLCCs are needed in electric engines, controllers, DC converters, inverters, battery management systems (BMS), and charging systems. 

Murata data shows that the amount of MLCC used in a hybrid vehicle is about 12,000 pieces, while that in a pure electric vehicle has increased to 18,000 pieces, with 30,000 pieces needed in some high-end models.