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The “crunch” in Film-cap makers facing crunch was a supply disruption reported in 2000, not evidence of a shortage today. EE Times reported that Bayer planned to stop making its Makrofol KG capacitor-grade polycarbonate film, prompting capacitor manufacturers to secure final orders and evaluate substitutes. The report also recorded disagreement over whether polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) could replace polycarbonate directly.
What caused the 2000 supply crunch?
In an article published on 9 July 2000, EE Times reported that Bayer AG planned to close its Makrofol KG production facility by the end of that year, citing “unsatisfactory profitability” in a customer letter. The report said one supplier expected production to stop earlier. Capacitor makers were taking last orders and asking customers to plan ahead while they considered alternatives. EE Times, Gina Roos, “Film-cap makers facing crunch”
The article also described an earlier interruption. Bayer had sold technology and production equipment to Electronic Concepts, which left the market in 1997; Bayer then agreed to resume production. Manufacturers were reported to believe that the technology or equipment had not been transferred to another producer, but the article did not independently confirm that belief. Dan Weil, president of Winter-Wolff International, warned, “It’s going to be detrimental to a large segment of the industry.”
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How did capacitor makers respond?
Companies described short-term supply measures alongside efforts to find replacements. Evox Rifa vice president of marketing Andrew Bellavia said the company was working with existing customers to ensure adequate supply through a last-time buy. He said, “There’ll be one more production run from Bayer.” Electrocube national sales manager Gloria Snyder said her company placed an interim order and asked customers for requirements covering about a year, leaving time to develop a replacement. These were reported actions in 2000, not descriptions of current company practices. EE Times, 9 July 2000
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- Polycarbonate Roof Panels: Greenhouse panels utilizes our proprietary RST anti-aging technology, which effectively addresses the issue of yellowing and extends its service life. Additionally, the double-sided protective film on both the front and back reduces dust accumulation and can also serve as a protective cover for furniture. polycarbonate sheet can be used to cover cars or cremation platforms to shield them from rain and snow.
- 85% Light Transmittance: Made from fiberglass and anti-aging resin, this greenhouse panel is 0.8 mm thick and free of visible fibrous strands. With a light transmittance of up to 85%, it facilitates sunlight penetration, promotes photosynthesis, accelerates plant growth, and increases crop yields.
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- Flexibility: Clear roofing panels film can be easily and quickly unfolded or folded into a roll. pergola roof panels can also be cut with scissors without cracking or tearing, allowing you to trim it to your desired shape or size and install it on arched or domed roofs and windows.
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Could PPS replace polycarbonate film?
The 2000 report discussed polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) as a possible alternative but did not establish it as a universal, interchangeable substitute. Weil emphasized polycarbonate’s dielectric constant and electrical stability across temperature. Bellavia described PPS as better at higher temperatures and lower loss, with similar temperature stability, and said it could serve as a drop-in replacement in most cases. Those were industry opinions reported at the time, not a general engineering equivalence.
For a specific capacitor or circuit, a replacement decision depends on the complete part specification and qualification, not just the film name. Compare the dielectric constant, electrical behavior across the intended temperature range, loss, operating temperature, and whether the proposed part is qualified as a drop-in replacement for that application. The 2000 comments cannot substitute for current datasheets, qualification records, or engineering review.
Rank #2
- Polycarbonate Roof Panels: Greenhouse panels utilizes our proprietary RST anti-aging technology, which effectively addresses the issue of yellowing and extends its service life. Additionally, the double-sided protective film on both the front and back reduces dust accumulation and can also serve as a protective cover for furniture. polycarbonate sheet can be used to cover cars or cremation platforms to shield them from rain and snow.
- 85% Light Transmittance: Made from fiberglass and anti-aging resin, this greenhouse panel is 0.8 mm thick and free of visible fibrous strands. With a light transmittance of up to 85%, it facilitates sunlight penetration, promotes photosynthesis, accelerates plant growth, and increases crop yields.
- Multi-purpose: Plastic roofing panels offers high heat resistance, extreme cold resistance, oxidation resistance, waterproofing, excellent toughness, and protection against both ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. polycarbonate sheet can be used in industrial and residential settings, as well as in construction, masonry, and landscaping projects, serving as a protective barrier to meet your diverse needs.
- Multi-purpose: Plastic roofing panels offers high heat resistance, extreme cold resistance, oxidation resistance, waterproofing, excellent toughness, and protection against both ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. polycarbonate sheet can be used in industrial and residential settings, as well as in construction, masonry, and landscaping projects, serving as a protective barrier to meet your diverse needs.
- Widely Use: Polycarbonate greenhouse plastic panels is ideal for greenhouses, sunrooms, patios, window and door awnings, back porches, carports, canopies, and other lighting and insulation projects. It helps create an optimal greenhouse environment and provides excellent protection in any season.
Does the 2000 report describe supply today?
No. The article documents a historical disruption and does not establish present-day polycarbonate-film availability, prices, lead times, or product status. Current Panasonic Industry pages show that film capacitors remain a product category, but they do not demonstrate current availability of capacitor-grade polycarbonate film. Panasonic Industry, Film Capacitors
As one scoped product example, Panasonic Industry Europe lists its SMF AC motor-use film capacitor family with capacitance from 1.5 to 9.0 µF and rated AC voltage from 370 to 450 V. These are specifications for that product family only, not market-wide ranges or evidence about polycarbonate-film supply. Panasonic Industry Europe, SMF film capacitors for AC motor use
Rank #3
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- 25 FOOT ROLL: This 25 foot roll of 0.005” thick Dura-Lar Ultra Clear Film is 40" wide. Made in the USA. Packaging may vary.
The sources establish no named statistic for the scale, financial impact, or market share of the 2000 disruption. For high-reliability medical, military, aerospace, or other specialized equipment, select parts and procurement routes for the application and its qualification requirements rather than treating a general product listing as an engineering recommendation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Polycarbonate Roof Panels: Greenhouse panels utilizes our proprietary RST anti-aging technology, which effectively addresses the issue of yellowing and extends its service life. Additionally, the double-sided protective film on both the front and back reduces dust accumulation and can also serve as a protective cover for furniture. polycarbonate sheet can be used to cover cars or cremation platforms to shield them from rain and snow.
- 85% Light Transmittance: Made from fiberglass and anti-aging resin, this greenhouse panel is 0.8 mm thick and free of visible fibrous strands. With a light transmittance of up to 85%, it facilitates sunlight penetration, promotes photosynthesis, accelerates plant growth, and increases crop yields.
- Multi-purpose: Plastic roofing panels offers high heat resistance, extreme cold resistance, oxidation resistance, waterproofing, excellent toughness, and protection against both ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. polycarbonate sheet can be used in industrial and residential settings, as well as in construction, masonry, and landscaping projects, serving as a protective barrier to meet your diverse needs.
- Flexibility: Clear roofing panels film can be easily and quickly unfolded or folded into a roll. pergola roof panels can also be cut with scissors without cracking or tearing, allowing you to trim it to your desired shape or size and install it on arched or domed roofs and windows.
- Widely Use: Polycarbonate greenhouse plastic panels is ideal for greenhouses, sunrooms, patios, window and door awnings, back porches, carports, canopies, and other lighting and insulation projects. It helps create an optimal greenhouse environment and provides excellent protection in any season.
Rank #4
- Material Composition--This clear plastic sheet is crafted from PET material, offering a practical solution for various applications. The 1/32 inch/0.8mm thickness provides adequate durability while maintaining flexibility for easy handling and cutting. Its transparent finish ensures clear visibility of covered items without distortion
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
