Chip, solid types enhance lead-based aluminum electrolytic capacitor selection

A number of suppliers are updating their lineups to prepare for the projected rise in requirement for more advanced kinds.

China's aluminum electrolytic capacitor manufacture remains centered on mature lead kinds because of a broad application base spanning consumer electronics to industrial equipment. Some suppliers, however, are developing chip and solid types, anticipating faster growth of these emerging categories in the future.

Nantong Sancon Electronic Technology Corp. and Shenzhen Topmay Electronic Co. Ltd have added chip versions, which respectively account for 20 and 15 percent of their output at present. Traditional lead units represent 60 to 70 percent of the latter's yield and about half of that of the first.

These makers are also following the initiatives of the Aihua Group and Jianghai Capacitor, which are the major players in local solid aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Shenzhen Topmay began offering such varieties in 2014, while Nantong Sancon plans to do the same in the next three years. Japan companies dominate the global market.

Chip and solid aluminum electrolytic capacitors are increasingly used in ballasts and displays, including FPDs. The latter has advantages of better capability to reduce ESR, greater tolerance to high temperatures and quicker response time, besides light weight and durability.

Conventional lead types exhibit high frequency, low impedance, wide temperature range and long life span, which attributes are enhanced further based on the electrolyte, electrode foils and electrolytic paper used. So far, China companies can turn out advanced models that can operate in up to 130 C and last a maximum of 20,000 hours.

Overall, aluminum electrolytic capacitors constitute a strong category. They are adopted in consumer and automotive electronics, computers and peripherals, communication and industrial products, and lighting. The first will remain the largest application market, with a share currently surpassing 40 percent, while the car electronics, new energy and military fields are expected to present more opportunities.

The local line will maintain stable growth, with sales climbing by about 10 percent yearly. Nantong Sancon and Suzhou UUcap Electronic Co. Ltd therefore still focus on aluminum electrolytic types. The former looks forward to a 10 to 15 percent revenue increase by end-2015. The company can churn out 1.8 billion units annually, and will bolster production capacity by 10 percent in the years ahead, confident of steady demand uptick.

Shenzhen Topmay offers other kinds such as film, ceramic, tantalum and supercapacitors, but derives 40 percent of sales from aluminum electrolytic units.

There are more than 500 makers of aluminum electrolytic capacitors in mainland China, including companies fromJapan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. International players Nippon Chemi-Con, Nichicon, Sam Young, Man Yue and Lelon are among the foreign businesses there.

This shift in manufacturing activities has made the mainland the largest hub for the category. Annual output exceeds 100 billion units or about 40 percent of the global total.

The Pearl River and Yangtze River Delta regions are the key production centers. Most suppliers are in Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces, and Shanghai.

See a comparison table of aluminum electrolytic capacitor suppliers on GlobalSources.com