Aluminum electrolytic capacitors have seen transformations over the years, along with advancements in their applications in the electronics, electrical and industrial fields. But, being a core technology, traditional types continue to be used, offering high capacitance and voltage handling capabilities while being cost-effective, while newer configurations meet other performance and physical requirements.
In China, the largest production hub and the biggest market for this passive component, various options are available based on physical configurations such as terminal, packaging, mounting style and electrolyte. Most are entry-level and midrange units featuring high capacitance, low ESR, long operating life, and high stability and reliability.
SMD and polymer capacitors
In recent years, the use of SMD packages and solid conductive polymer as replacement for conventional liquid electrolyte has gained a following among Chinese manufacturers. Both technologies address requirements in new applications such as energy storage, electric vehicles (EVs) and AI data centers. In demanding conditions such as in automotive and power supply applications, such components eliminate the safety risks of liquid leakage and pressure buildup associated with conventional “wet” versions.
Considered midrange and high-end types, these SMD polymer-based types come in compact designs and boast high capacitance and voltage ratings, wide operating temperature ranges and long operating life. The current selection in China offers ultralow ESR and enhanced performance in high frequencies as well.
Hybrids
The range of aluminum electrolytic capacitors from Chinese manufacturers extends to hybrid kinds, which use both a solid conductive polymer and a liquid electrolyte as cathode material.
A best-of-both-worlds solution, this combination harnesses the advantages of lower ESR and higher resistance of polymer and that of self-healing properties of liquid electrolyte. “Consequently, the hybrids offer low ESR at high frequencies, temperature and frequency stability, a wide operating frequency, low leakage currents, high humidity resistance, consistent self-healing and an open-circuit failure mode – all at a significantly lower cost than polymer capacitors,” according to Nichicon, a key player in capacitor technology.
Zhao Qing Beryl, a National Torch Program high-tech enterprise in China, has developed such capacitors, with all the associated features including low impedance. These components are compatible with reflow welding and have 100µF capacitance, 63V rated voltage, -55 to 105 C operating temperature and 5,000-hour life span.
Demand growth
The aluminum electrolytic capacitor sector in China has been steadily increasing, a trend expected to persist in the coming years. The key growth catalysts include consumer electronics, computers, energy storage systems and EVs. According to the Qianzhan Industrial Research Institute, the market reached $4.11 billion in 2020 and $5.36 billion in 2023 and is forecast to rise to $7.38 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 5.5 percent from 2024.
This beats the global CAGR, which is 4.7 percent during the same period based on a market scale of $10.74 billion in 2029, according to the China Electronic Components Industry Association (CECIA). The same source said that this product category had a total of $8.53 billion in 2024 and $8.96 billion the following year. The top three applications in 2025 were power and energy, automotive electronics and household appliances, accounting for 30, 21 and 19 percent of shipments, respectively.
Manufacturing pool
Most manufacturers of aluminum electrolytic capacitors are found in the Asia-Pacific region. Based on statistics from CECIA, 38 percent of global shipments came from Japan and 42 percent from China in 2025.
The top Japan-based players include Nippon Chemi-Con, Nichicon, Panasonic and Rubycon and their Chinese counterparts are Nantong Jianghai, Aishi, Huawei and Zhao Qing Beryl, according to CECIA. Elnecotek and Shenzhen Zhenhua Huaxing are also listed among major Chinese players in a Skyquest aluminum electrolytic capacitor market report published in December 2025.
In China, more than 60 percent of the suppliers are in the southern and eastern areas, including Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and the rest in the north and central parts in Hebei, Hubei and Hunan. Guangdong is also the site of operations of materials providers such as Tinci and BTR.
Most Chinese manufacturers of aluminum electrolytic capacitors export their products, with ratios ranging from 30 to 80 percent.
China-made Al-e-caps
Widely produced aluminum electrolytic capacitors in China are single-ended, screw and SMD types for lighting, power supply, consumer electronics, computer, industrial control, communication and new energy applications.
These passive components come in various specifications, typically 6.3 to 630V rated voltage, 0.1 to 10,000µF capacitance, -55 to 105 C operating temperature and 2,000 to 8,000-hour life span. They meet UL, CE and RoHS standards.
Customization remains a standard practice in this category.
Manufacturers usually source components domestically. Their main sources of electrode materials include Hunan Yuneng and Wanrun while Tinci and Capchem are the major suppliers of electrolyte.
The cost of these inputs rose due to a supply shortage in the past year, resulting in a 10 percent increase in aluminum electrolytic capacitor prices. Companies interviewed by Global Sources said that this upward trend would likely continue in the coming months.
Aluminum electrolytic capacitor, 160 to 400VDC rated voltage
Company: Guangdong Anhong Electronics Co. Ltd
The High Voltage Series of aluminum electrolytic capacitors from Guangdong Anhong has 160 to 400VDC rated voltage, -40 to 105 C operating temperature and 2,000 to 3,000-hour life span at 105 C.
MOQ: 1,000 units
Lead time: 5 days
SMD aluminum electrolytic capacitor, 0.1 to 1,500µF capacitance range
Company: Shenzhen Topmay Electronic Co. Ltd
Shenzhen Topmay’s SMD aluminum electrolytic capacitor, the TMCE24-3764, has 4 to 100VDC rated voltage, 0.1 to 1,500µF capacitance range, ±20 percent tolerance and -40 to 85 C operating temperature. It is UL-listed.
MOQ: 10,000 units
Lead time: 7 days
Aluminum electrolytic capacitor, 2,000µF capacitance
Company: Yangzhou Positioning Tech Co. Ltd
Yangzhou Positioning markets the YZPST-CD294, an aluminum electrolytic capacitor with 400VDC rated and 450VDC surge voltage ratings, 2,200µF capacitance, ±20 percent tolerance, 7,810A ripple current at 85 C, 120Hz and 8,000-hour endurance rating at 85 C.
MOQ: 10 units
Lead time: 7 days
Aluminum electrolytic capacitor, 22µF capacitance
Company: Zhongshan Kingrong Electronics Co. Ltd
From Zhongshan Kingrong, the KRE-AEC50V22uF aluminum electrolytic capacitor has 50V rated voltage, 22µF capacitance and -40 to 105 C operating temperature.
MOQ: 1,000 units
Lead time: 25 days
