Mr. Santosh Yadav completed his MTech in Power Electronics and Drives in the subject of Electrical & Electronics Engineering at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur, and later submitted a Ph.D. Thesis in Electrical Engineering at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, India under AICTE Doctoral Fellowship, Government of India. He joined TDK’s Film Capacitor division in 2022 where he is currently Deputy Manager R&​D and has helped to deliver 35 projects including safety and DC link capacitors. Here he talks to ORIENTATE about the opportunities for film capacitors across rapidly evolving markets in India, and how film producers can support capacitor manufacturers in the delivery of high quality, next generation products.

OR: Santosh, can you tell us about your background and what inspired you/led you to work in the capacitor industry?

SY: After completing my PhD in Power Electronics and Drives, I joined TDK’s Film Capacitors division. In this role, we focus on low-power capacitors, including EMI capacitors and DC link capacitors, which are produced at TDK's facility in Nashik. My prior experience was more concentrated in power electronics and drives, making the specifics of film capacitors relatively new to me.  Since film capacitors are associated with high voltage engineering, they were seldom addressed in the literature I had previously examined.  Consequently, my knowledge of film capacitors has been developed at TDK through research of pertinent literature and practical experience within the Film Capacitor division.

OR: For those who are not familiar with TDK Electronics, could you give a brief overview of the company and the products/services it offers?

SY: TDK Electronics (previously EPCOS) develops, manufactures, and markets electronic components and systems under the product brands of TDK, EPCOS, Tronics, and relyon plasma, focusing on fast-growing, leading-edge technology markets, which include automotive electronics, industrial electronics, and consumer electronics as well as information and communications technology. The company is positioned globally and close to its customers, employs around 21,000 people across around 20 development and manufacturing sites, and has a tight-knit sales network. In addition to manufacturing standard products, another of our core competencies is working with our customers to implement solutions that meet their needs.

OR: The use of film capacitors has been increasing since the 1970s but they account for a relatively small market share against ceramic or electrolytic capacitors. In your view, is this likely to change?

SY: Yes, definitely. Compared to ceramic and aluminium electrolytic capacitors, film capacitors have clear advantages, particularly their low ESR and self-healing properties. Film capacitors generally have significantly lower switching losses compared to aluminium electrolytic capacitors due to lower equivalent series resistance (ESR) and better high-frequency performance. While aluminium electrolytic capacitors are often preferred for high-capacity bulk storage at low cost, their higher ESR and internal power dissipation make them less efficient for high-frequency switching.

In principle, when a capacitor loses its electrical properties, self-healing allows it to recover, which is a distinctive feature of film capacitors. Their self-healing capability and reliability set them apart. Nowadays, capacitors are needed for longer-life applications such as solar power systems, wind energy, and other renewables. While ceramic and aluminium electrolytic capacitors were commonly used before, power electronics are rapidly evolving, with a shift from higher volumes to more compact volumes. In the power and industrial sectors, capacitors are required for high-frequency applications involving silicon carbide and gallium nitride. 

Looking ahead, demand will grow in areas where switching losses are higher in aluminium electrolytic or ceramic capacitors compared to film capacitors. In such cases, the high ripple current handling capability of DC link film capacitors makes them far superior to aluminium electrolytic capacitors. Although requirements may vary case by case, film capacitors are poised to become the preferred choice for the next generation of power electronics. 

OR: How would you describe the market for film capacitors in India? 

SY: India is enhancing its manufacturing capabilities through the ‘Make in India’ program initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Suppliers across geopolitical regions are seeking more affordable and stable manufacturing options, leading to an increase in capacitor film manufacturers in India. India is often cited as a key example in this shift. 

The film capacitor market in India is rapidly growing, highly competitive, and somewhat fragmented, driven by surging demand from the consumer electronics, electric vehicle (EV), and renewable energy sectors. According to open-source market surveys, the market was valued at approximately USD 127 million in 2024 and is projected to grow significantly at a CAGR of 9.74%, reaching over USD 200 million by 2029. For instance, Cosmo Films recently opened a large facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, while Jindal supplies premium-quality products worldwide. Other film capacitor suppliers are also expanding their presence in India. This growth has prompted manufacturers to rethink their expansion strategies in India and the broader Asian market. I anticipate significant business growth here, especially in renewable energy, EVs, and related sectors.