Murata Launches Silicon Capacitor Line in France

Murata Manufacturing, a global leader in electronic components, has recently unveiled a new production line for silicon capacitors at its facility in Caen, France. This development marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to invest in expanding its manufacturing capabilities.

The decision to open the 200mm wafer line for silicon capacitor production in Caen was initially announced in 2023, accompanied by a substantial €60 million investment. The Caen facility, which has been under Murata's operation since the acquisition of passives start-up IPDiA in 2016, currently employs 250 staff members working in the clean room and production line.

These silicon capacitors play a crucial role in various high-demand applications, including implantable medical systems, telecommunication infrastructures, and mobile phones. The capacitors produced at the newly established line are specifically designed to cater to the mobile handset market, offering capacitors with ultra-thin profiles as low as 50 µm in compact surface mount packages.

In addition to the expansion in France, Murata is also set to make a significant investment of $300 million in a new MLCC (multilayer ceramic capacitor) factory in China. This investment aims to enhance the cleanroom facilities and boost the production capacity of components targeted for mass markets.

Norio Nakajima, the President of Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm about the company's growth trajectory, stating, "The components manufactured at our Caen site leverage cutting-edge technologies for a wide range of applications. Whether it's the numerous capacitors found in smartphones or the thousands integrated into vehicles, our products are fundamental to modern technology. The launch of this new production line signifies our commitment to expanding our manufacturing capabilities and supporting our local workforce."