Multilayer ceramic capacitors, or MLCCs, are a quiet workhorse of every circuit board. This year they have become a headline part of the AI supply story. Samsung Electro-Mechanics has disclosed more than KRW 5 trillion in long-term supply agreements after signing another AI server capacitor contract, a clear signal that demand for high-capacitance, high-reliability MLCCs is surging.

AI servers and high-performance computing need large numbers of capacitors for power delivery, decoupling, and signal filtering. High-layer-count boards can carry hundreds or even thousands of MLCCs, and the push toward higher power and density increases both the count and the value of each device.

Sourcing considerations for 2026:
- High-capacitance and high-temperature MLCCs are seeing the tightest supply.
- Long-term agreements and multi-source strategies help secure allocation.
- Verify reliability and lifetime ratings for server-grade applications, not just price.

For PCBA teams, the practical guidance is to define the exact capacitance, voltage, and temperature requirements up front, qualify two or three vendors, and reserve allocation early for high-volume programs. Capacitors may be small, but a shortage can stop an entire production line. Planning around MLCC availability is now a core part of board-level supply chain management.