Tantalum capacitor is an electrolytic capacitor that uses tantalum metal as the anode and tantalum oxide film on the surface of tantalum as the dielectric. It is widely used in military, aerospace, industrial automation, communication equipment and other fields due to its high performance, high reliability and miniaturization characteristics. Benefiting from the rapid development of emerging industries such as the Internet of Things, 5G, new energy vehicles, and data centers, the global market size of tantalum capacitors continues to grow, reaching 33.1 billion yuan in 2023 and expected to reach 42.8 billion yuan in 2029. Although the Chinese market has expanded, there is still a gap, with a market size of 9.6 billion in 2023. Domestic enterprises such as Hongda Electronics, Torch Electronics, and Zhenhua Technology continue to make breakthroughs in technological innovation and production capacity, while policy support and technological progress bring development opportunities to the industry.

one

Small volume, high energy

Tantalum capacitor is an electrolytic capacitor that uses tantalum metal as the anode and tantalum 

oxide film on the surface of tantalum as the dielectric. It plays an important role in electronic circuit

 filtering, coupling and other applications due to its small volume, large capacity, high capacitance 

density, low ESR, excellent temperature stability and long life.

The definition of tantalum capacitors. Tantalum capacitor is an electrolytic capacitor that uses tantalum 

metal as the anode and generates a tantalum oxide film on the surface of tantalum as the dielectric. It 

has the technical characteristics of small volume and large capacity, with capacitance values ranging

 from a few microfarads (μ F) to several thousand microfarads (μ F). It is widely used in electronic circuits 

for filtering, coupling, and other applications.

The characteristics and advantages of tantalum capacitors. Tantalum capacitors occupy a place in the 

capacitor market due to their high capacitance density, low equivalent series resistance (ESR), excellent 

temperature stability, and long lifespan. They can provide a large capacitance in a small volume, adapt 

to a wide temperature range, and have self-healing properties. They can automatically repair defects in

 the dielectric layer under external voltage, reduce leakage current, and enhance stability. In addition, 

the miniaturization design of tantalum capacitors is suitable for the compact layout of modern electronic 

devices, and its polarity design ensures safe and effective operation in circuits, making it an indispensable 

component in high-performance electronic devices.

Classification of tantalum capacitors. Tantalum capacitors are mainly divided into two types: solid tantalum 

capacitors and liquid tantalum capacitors. Solid tantalum capacitors use solid electrolytes (such as conductive 

polymers or oxides), which have higher reliability, longer service life, and lower leakage current. They can 

withstand higher temperatures and frequencies and are widely used in high demand fields such as 

military, aerospace, and automotive. Liquid tantalum capacitors use liquid electrolytes (usually fluoride

 containing liquid electrolytes) to provide high capacitance values, suitable for applications with low

 frequency and low temperature requirements, but their performance at high temperatures and high

 frequencies is not as good as solid tantalum capacitors.

Polymer technology improves the voltage resistance and high temperature performance of capacitors

 by using polymer materials instead of traditional electrolytes. Solid tantalum capacitor technology uses

 solid electrolytes to reduce leakage current and ESR, improving high-frequency application 

performance. The miniaturization technology enables tantalum capacitors to achieve smaller volume 

while maintaining performance, meeting the requirements of miniaturization and integration of 

electronic devices.

Polymer tantalum capacitor technology. Polymer tantalum capacitor technology is an important technological innovation in the field of tantalum capacitors in recent years. This technology replaces the traditional electrolyte cathode with highly conductive polymer materials, significantly improving the voltage resistance of capacitors, making the reverse voltage resistance close to the forward voltage resistance, and also significantly improving their performance in high-temperature environments. The transformation of this material not only enhances the stability and reliability of capacitors, but also broadens their application range, especially in electronic devices that require high voltage resistance and high temperature performance, such as portable devices such as mobile phones and tablets.

Solid tantalum capacitor technology. Solid tantalum capacitor technology optimizes capacitor performance by using solid electrolytes instead of traditional liquid electrolytes. This technology reduces the leakage current and equivalent series resistance (ESR) of capacitors, improving their performance in high-frequency applications. Solid electrolytes are mainly made of conductive polymers or stable oxides, which not only enhance the electrical performance of capacitors, but also improve their mechanical stability and heat resistance. For example, Kyocera AVX's niobium oxide capacitors utilize this technology to achieve higher reliability and stability.

Miniaturization and integration technology. With the trend towards miniaturization and high integration of electronic devices, the miniaturization and packaging technology of tantalum capacitors are becoming increasingly important. These capacitors meet the design requirements of compact space by adopting advanced packaging technology and advanced materials, while ensuring high performance and reducing volume. D-type tantalum capacitors, as a surface mount (SMD) capacitor, are widely used in electronic devices due to their small size and high capacity. This miniaturization technology not only improves the space utilization of circuit boards, but also enhances the performance and reliability of the entire electronic system

two

Assist in satellite power management and signal processing

In the military and aerospace fields, tantalum capacitors are used for power management and signal 

processing in systems such as satellites and aircraft. In industrial automation, tantalum capacitors are

 used in PLCs, motor drivers, etc. to ensure clear signals and stable control. In communication 

equipment, tantalum capacitors are widely used in mobile phones, wireless routers, base stations, etc. 

due to their high capacity and stability. They are used for power filtering, signal coupling, and voltage

 stabilization to ensure the quality of communication signals and stable operation of equipment.

Military electronics and aerospace. The application requirements of tantalum capacitors in military 

and aerospace fields are extremely high, and they must maintain reliable performance in extreme 

environments such as high temperature, high voltage, and high frequency. Taking Vishay's T16 series

 liquid tantalum capacitors as an example, they are designed specifically for the aerospace industry 

and are suitable for applications such as power management, timing, filtering, energy storage, and 

pulse power. They can operate stably under harsh conditions. The CWR series of KYOCERA AVX (such 

as CWR55365/09/19, CWR29, CWR11, etc.) meets the MIL-PRF-15 T-level standard and is a highly 

reliable solid tantalum capacitor widely used in aerospace systems such as satellites and aircraft, 

ensuring power management and signal processing functions, system stability, and clear signal 

transmission.

Industrial automation. In the field of industrial automation, the application of tantalum capacitors is 

equally crucial, widely used in devices such as PLCs (programmable logic controllers), motor drivers, 

and industrial robots. The high stability of tantalum capacitors makes them an indispensable 

component in automation equipment, especially in applications that require precise control. For 

example, in signal processing systems, tantalum capacitors are used for signal coupling and decoupling,

 ensuring clear and accurate signals, reducing distortion and interference, thereby improving the 

response speed and accuracy of equipment. In addition, they can filter out high-frequency noise in 

the control system, maintain the stability of the control signal, and ensure the efficient operation of 

automation equipment.

In communication equipment. Tantalum capacitors play a key role in communication equipment, and 

are widely used in devices such as mobile phones, wireless routers, and base stations due to their high 

capacity and excellent working stability. They are mainly used for power filtering, signal coupling, and 

voltage stabilization functions. For example, the polymer tantalum capacitors used in Nvidia Blackwell

 AI servers are mainly used in the field of high-speed data transmission. In high-frequency communication

 circuits, selecting tantalum capacitors with excellent frequency response helps maintain signal integrity

 and stable equipment operation. The anti-interference ability and high-temperature stability of tantalum 

capacitors are particularly suitable for communication equipment such as routers and base stations,

 providing reliable power supply and signal processing to ensure communication quality and equipment 

stability.

The scarcity of tantalum ore resources and the complexity of production processes result in high costs, 

limiting its application in low-cost markets. At the same time, the performance of alternative technologies 

such as ceramic capacitors continues to improve, especially in terms of cost control, which brings competitive 

pressure to tantalum capacitor manufacturers. In addition, there are reliability issues with tantalum capacitors

 in humid and high-temperature environments, which may result in damage to the dielectric layer or a decrease 

in capacitance performance.

Limited resources and cost control challenges. Compared to other types of capacitors such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors and ceramic capacitors, tantalum capacitors have higher production costs, mainly due to the scarcity of tantalum ore resources and the complexity of production processes. Firstly, tantalum is a rare metal with limited global reserves, mainly distributed in a few countries, resulting in very expensive mining and purification processes. The mining difficulty of tantalum ore is relatively high, and the purification process requires the use of high energy consuming technologies such as high-temperature smelting, which not only increases the cost of raw materials but also has a certain impact on the environment. In addition, the production process of tantalum capacitors is relatively complex, involving high-precision manufacturing processes such as rolling of tantalum metal, chemical oxidation, and bonding with electrolytes, which require strict requirements and high costs.

The competitive pressure of alternative technologies. Tantalum capacitors are facing competitive pressure from alternative technologies and materials. With the continuous improvement of the performance of ceramic capacitors and metal oxide capacitors, especially in terms of cost control, they have gradually become strong competitors for tantalum capacitors. In addition, technological advancements have also led to the emergence of new materials and designs, such as polymer film capacitors and supercapacitors, which have shown comparable or even better performance than tantalum capacitors in certain application fields. For example, in high-frequency applications, the performance of some high-performance thin film capacitors is not inferior to tantalum capacitors, which puts market pressure on manufacturers who rely on high priced tantalum raw materials. In addition, in price sensitive industries such as consumer electronics and mass market household appliances, the high cost of tantalum capacitors makes it difficult to popularize.

The challenge of environmental adaptability and reliability. Tantalum capacitors face a series of environmental adaptability and reliability challenges in the design and production process. Especially in humid environments, tantalum capacitors are prone to absorbing water, causing damage to the dielectric layer and leading to leakage or short circuits. For example, tantalum capacitors in outdoor communication equipment, without moisture-proof treatment, may absorb moisture from the air when exposed to humid environments for a long time, causing damage to the dielectric layer and ultimately leading to equipment failure. Therefore, moisture-proof measures and avoiding the use of high humidity environments are key to ensuring the reliability of tantalum capacitors. In addition, high temperature can also affect the performance of tantalum capacitors. Excessive environmental temperature can accelerate capacitor aging and reduce its electrical performance; Rapid temperature changes may lead to mechanical stress accumulation, ultimately resulting in capacitor rupture or leakage. For example, in high-performance computers, when tantalum capacitors are used for power management, prolonged high load operation can cause internal temperatures to exceed the tolerance temperature range of tantalum capacitors, affecting their normal operation. Therefore, reasonable heat dissipation design and avoiding local overheating are key to improving the reliability of tantalum capacitors.

three

The core of network equipment in the 5G era

The global tantalum capacitor market is continuously growing, with an expected market size of 33.1 

billion yuan in 2023 and 42.8 billion yuan by 2029, dominated by overseas manufacturers such as Jimei

 and Kyocera. The Chinese tantalum capacitor market is also expanding, with a market size of 9.6 billion

 yuan by 2023, but there is still a gap with foreign manufacturers.

The global tantalum capacitor market. The global tantalum capacitor market is continuously growing, 

mainly driven by demand from industries such as industry, communications, consumer electronics, 

automotive, and aerospace. According to data from Bezos Consulting, the global tantalum capacitor

 market is expected to reach 33.1 billion yuan by 2023, and is projected to reach 42.8 billion yuan by 

2029. During the forecast period, the global tantalum capacitor market is expected to achieve an 

average annual compound growth rate of 4.12%. The global tantalum capacitor market is mainly 

dominated by overseas manufacturers, with KEMET accounting for 35% and Kyocera accounting for 

23%.

The Chinese tantalum capacitor market. The Chinese tantalum capacitor market has continued to grow 

in recent years, mainly driven by the increasing demand for industrial, communication, new energy, and

 high-end electronic products. According to data from Beizhesi Consulting, the market size of tantalum 

capacitors in China has reached 9.6 billion yuan. At present, there is still a significant gap between 

China's tantalum capacitor enterprises and leading foreign enterprises in terms of production scale, 

production technology, product quality, etc., and the degree of market localization is relatively low. 

Chinese companies such as Hongda Electronics, Torch Electronics, and Zhenhua Technology have

 continuously broken through in tantalum capacitor technology innovation and production capacity,

 gradually increasing their market share.

The rapid development of emerging industries such as the Internet of Things, 5G communication, new

 energy vehicles, and data centers has greatly driven the demand for high reliability and miniaturized 

capacitors, becoming an important driving force for the growth of the tantalum capacitor market. At

 the same time, domestic policies supporting high-tech and green manufacturing industries, such as

 "Made in China 2025" and the "14th Five Year Plan", have provided strong external impetus for the

 tantalum capacitor industry.

Emerging industries drive market growth. With the rapid development of emerging industries such as the Internet of Things, 5G communication, new energy vehicles, and data centers, the demand for high reliability and miniaturized capacitors has significantly increased, becoming an important driving force for market growth. In the field of the Internet of Things, the rapid increase in the number of devices and the high requirements for real-time and reliable data transmission have driven the demand for high-speed data processing, low-power, and high reliability capacitors. For example, Vishay's T51 series tantalum capacitors can maintain excellent performance in extreme temperatures in multi IoT systems for electric vehicles. In 5G communication, tantalum capacitors support the effective operation of network devices, improve data transmission speed and enhance connectivity, ultimately driving the growth of the tantalum capacitor market. According to recent data released by GSMA Intelligence, by 2029, 5G connections will account for over half (51%) of all mobile connections. It is expected that by the end of this century, this proportion will further increase to 56%, consolidating 5G's position as a leading connectivity technology. Meanwhile, with the accelerated development of data centers, cloud computing, and big data applications, the demand for high-performance and high stability tantalum capacitors will continue to grow.

Policy orientation. The domestic government's support for high-tech and green manufacturing has provided strong external impetus for the development of the tantalum capacitor industry. Made in China 2025 has identified high-end electronic information products as a key development area, and has promoted the growth of the tantalum capacitor industry through measures such as financial support, tax incentives, and research and development support. At the same time, the "Regulations on the Promotion of Integrated Circuit Industry" clearly strengthen support for integrated circuits and their upstream and downstream industrial chains, and tantalum capacitors, as key electronic components, have also received special attention. In addition, the outline of the 14th Five Year Plan proposes to accelerate the development of the new generation information technology industry, enhance the demand for high-performance materials and components, which brings new development opportunities for the tantalum capacitor industry. The government's policy support not only provides clear direction and market expectations for the industry, but also promotes innovation and sustainable development in the tantalum capacitor industry by reducing enterprise costs.

four

Leading domestic and international enterprises

KEMET、 Kyocera Group and Vishay are leading companies in the global tantalum capacitor industry. 

KEMET has outstanding performance in the military and aerospace fields, and its products can work 

stably at high temperatures. Kyocera provides high-performance solid-state tantalum capacitors 

through KYOCERA AVX, which are widely used in medical and military fields. Vishay's vPolyTan ™ 

Polymer tantalum capacitors are well-known for their ultra-low ESR and high temperature resistance, 

and are widely used in industrial, communication, and medical fields.

KEMET。 KEMET, as one of the leading companies in the global tantalum capacitor industry, is

 renowned for its outstanding technology and extensive product line. KEMET holds a leading position

 in the field of high reliability tantalum capacitors, particularly in military and aerospace applications. 

The tantalum capacitor series launched by the company, such as T500 and T491 series, can operate 

stably in high temperature environments (up to 200 ° C) and are suitable for harsh application scenarios. 

In addition, KEMET is committed to technological innovation and holds over 1600 patents, continuously

 promoting the development of tantalum capacitor technology to meet constantly changing market 

demands and customer requirements. According to analysis, KEMET's market share in the global

 tantalum capacitor market has reached 35%, and its tantalum capacitor business revenue has grown

 from $2.1 billion in 2015 to $3.42 billion in 2019, demonstrating strong growth momentum.

Kyocera Corporation. Kyocera Group is a globally renowned electronic component manufacturer, and

 through its subsidiary KYOCERA AVX, has become one of the world's largest suppliers of tantalum 

capacitors, with four tantalum capacitor manufacturing factories worldwide. Kyocera Group has 

advanced manganese dioxide solid-state tantalum capacitor technology, which enables its tantalum

 capacitors to provide high temperature characteristics in a smaller size, up to 230 ° C, while having

 lower leakage current. In terms of high reliability tantalum capacitors, the company provides the most 

comprehensive range of medical, COTS Plus, MIL specifications, and aerospace grade product lines in

 the industry for medical and military/aerospace applications. In addition, Kyocera Group continues to 

deeply cultivate the field of power electronics products and systems, producing small high-performance 

capacitors with exquisite dielectric ceramic technology and advanced manufacturing technology. The

 product lineup is rich and applied to wireless communication terminals such as smartphones and 

tablets, digital devices such as LCD displays, etc.

Vishay. Vishay Intertechnology is a leading global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and passive components, particularly renowned in the field of tantalum capacitors. The company provides a full range of tantalum capacitor products, including solid-state tantalum capacitors and polymer tantalum capacitors, which are widely used in various fields such as industry, communication, and medical care. Vishay's tantalum capacitors are renowned for their excellent performance, stability, and reliability, with voltage ranges from 10V to over 1000V and offering multiple termination options. Of particular note is Vishay's vPolyTan ™ Polymer tantalum capacitors are favored by the market due to their ultra-low ESR, high rated voltage, and wide range of capacitance values. Vishay's tantalum capacitors also have excellent high temperature resistance, suitable for operating temperatures ranging from -55 ° C to+230 ° C, and have high anti vibration capabilities. The unique advantages of this product in high-performance applications have been favored by high-performance computing platforms such as Nvidia GB200, resulting in a revenue contribution of approximately 20% to 30% for the company.

Hongda Electronics occupies an important position in the field of military tantalum capacitors, and has launched high-energy hybrid tantalum capacitors and polymer tantalum capacitors with strong research and development capabilities. Torch Electronics innovatively developed polymer solid electrolyte tantalum capacitors and successfully built a domestic production line. As an old military enterprise, Zhenhua Technology has been continuously cultivating the tantalum capacitor market through its subsidiary Zhenhua Xinyun. It has multiple modern production lines and has broken through multiple technological bottlenecks, making it competitive in both military and civilian fields.

Hongda Electronics. Hongda Electronics is a leading enterprise in China's tantalum capacitor industry, particularly occupying an important position in the field of military tantalum capacitors. With strong research and development capabilities and technological innovation, the company has launched multiple new generation tantalum capacitor products, such as high-energy hybrid tantalum capacitors and polymer tantalum capacitors, which are in a leading position in China. Hongda Electronics has multiple core technologies and patents, including production lines for non solid electrolyte tantalum capacitors, chip solid electrolyte tantalum capacitors, and solid electrolyte tantalum capacitors. Its related products have been included in the QPL catalog of electronic components. In addition, the company also holds a patent for a multifunctional polymer chip tantalum capacitor production system, demonstrating its technical strength in the field of polymer tantalum capacitors. In 2020, Hongda Electronics ranked 29th among the top 100 electronic component companies in China, and ranked first in the tantalum capacitor sub sector. The revenue of solid electrolyte tantalum capacitors and non solid electrolyte tantalum capacitors reached 250 million yuan and 309 million yuan, respectively, with year-on-year growth of 94.48% and 45.54%.

Torch Electronics. Torch Electronics was founded in 1989 and is one of the first enterprises in China to obtain aerospace grade product certification. The company continuously innovates on the basis of traditional metal encapsulated tantalum capacitors, and has built the first domestically produced chip polymer solid electrolyte tantalum capacitor production line in China, and successfully launched a high-energy tantalum electrolytic capacitor production line certified by CAST. Torch Electronics has undertaken multiple national military research tasks and maintained good cooperative relationships with multiple military enterprises. In the civilian field, Torch Electronics has established close business cooperation with companies such as State Grid Electric Power Research Institute and State Grid Nanrui Technology. In recent years, Torch Electronics' tantalum capacitor business has continued to grow, from 12 million yuan in 2016 to 63 million yuan in 2021, with an average annual growth rate of 39.33%.

Zhenhua Technology. Zhenhua Technology is an old military enterprise under China Electronics Information Industry Group, with a history of more than 50 years, focusing on the field of military electronic components. Through its subsidiary Zhenhua Xinyun, the company continues to deepen its presence in the field of tantalum capacitors, specializing in tantalum, aluminum electrolytic capacitors, ceramic capacitors, etc. It has been awarded the title of "China's Top 100 Electronic Component Enterprises" for thirty consecutive years and has obtained the A-level supplier qualification from the European Space Agency. Zhenhua Xinyun has 12 modern tantalum capacitor production lines imported from multiple countries around the world, including non solid tantalum capacitors, fully sealed solid tantalum capacitors, resin encapsulated solid tantalum capacitors, chip tantalum capacitors, etc. It also develops MLCC and aluminum electrolytic capacitors. The company has formed strong competitive barriers in terms of technological accumulation, product types, and customer resources, and continuously breaks through key technologies such as the Double 85 series chip tantalum capacitors and organic polymer tantalum capacitors, improving product reliability and gradually promoting the integration of new products such as high-voltage and high-Q RF ceramic capacitors into the mainstream market of the industry.

About Us

Guangdong Fulong Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. is a private high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of aluminum electrolytic capacitors, certified by IATF16949，ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO45001. The company has a building area of 17000 square meters and more than 50 automated production lines; The total investment is 50 million yuan (RMB), with more than 100 employees, including more than 20 engineering and technical, quality management, and production management personnel. The annual production of capacitors (4 * 5.4~16 * 21.5) is about 400 million pieces; Our products are mainly sold to domestic and international markets, and we strive to promote our company's products globally.

Jiangxi Fulong Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guangdong Fulong Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. established in Hukou County, Jiangxi Province with a total investment of 500 million yuan. It has 50 fully automated production lines and an annual output of approximately 1.2 billion capacitors (4 * 5.4~16 * 21.5).

Fulong Group has an international professional core technology research and development team for aluminum electrolytic capacitors and a global sales network. Rich experience in the design, research and development, and production management of aluminum electrolytic capacitors. The R&D team follows the technical design theory of aluminum electrolytic capacitors, complies with international and domestic legal and regulatory requirements (RoHs), and adheres to the highest international quality standards

Fulong Group has high-quality and stable raw material supply partners, and key raw materials (such as aluminum foil, electrolytic paper, etc.) are selected from well-known Japanese and Korean companies (KJCC KDKNKK, etc.), ensuring reliable and stable advantages in product quality, environmental protection, safety, and energy conservation.

Fulong Group has a group of highly qualified professional technicians and management personnel who can produce various series of sheet aluminum electrolysis products according to customer requirements. The products include high-frequency low impedance, low leakage, wide temperature, extremely low impedance, non-polar, ultra long life, medium high voltage long life, high reliability and other new types of special requirements for surface mount products; At the same time, the company's products can withstand a soldering temperature of 260 ℃, meeting the lead-free reflow soldering technology required for SMT in the whole machine factory. All technical indicators of the products have reached or exceeded the international level of similar products.

While strengthening management and expanding operational scale, Fulong Group is also committed to improving its competitiveness and customer satisfaction, continuously and steadily increasing customer and social trust, continuously meeting market demand, further optimizing environmental management and expanding social contributions, and developing together with the electronics industry.

Guangdong Follon Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.

Jiangxi Follon Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.

Address: Building 3, South District, Haishan Science and Technology Park, Hukou County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province

www.follon.com

Professional manufacturer of high-quality surface mount electrolytic capacitors