As one of the most fundamental and critical passive components in electronic circuits, resistors play an indispensable role in the modern electronics industry. Their core functions are current limiting, voltage regulation, and voltage and current division. They are widely used in consumer electronics, communications equipment, automotive electronics, industrial control, medical equipment, and aerospace. With the rapid development of the global electronics industry, technological advancements and continued growth in market demand have made the resistor industry a key cornerstone of the electronic information industry.
From an industry perspective, the development of resistors is inextricably linked to the evolution of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing technologies. Early resistors were primarily manufactured using traditional processes such as carbon film and metal film. Today, as electronic devices evolve towards miniaturization, high precision, and high reliability, chip resistors (such as surface mount resistors) have become the mainstream in the market, accounting for over 90% of the consumer electronics market share. At the same time, demand for high-performance resistors (such as high-precision, high-power, and surge-resistant resistors) is rapidly increasing in areas such as industrial automation, new energy, and 5G communications. The global resistor market is primarily dominated by companies from Japan (such as Maruwa and TDK), Taiwan (such as Yageo and Walsin), and mainland China. Mainland China, leveraging its comprehensive industrial chain and cost advantages, has achieved significant breakthroughs in both production capacity and technology in recent years.
The significance of resistors lies not only in their wide range of applications but also in their critical role in the stability of electronic systems. In circuit design, resistor performance directly impacts device power consumption, signal integrity, and safety. For example, in battery management systems for new energy vehicles, high-precision resistors are used for current sensing to ensure efficient battery operation; in 5G base stations, high-voltage resistors ensure stable signal transmission. Furthermore, as fundamental components, the supply stability of resistors is crucial to the global electronics industry chain. Especially amidst the current volatility of the international supply chain, independent and controllable resistor production capabilities are crucial to the security of a country's electronics industry.
In the future, with the rise of the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing, the resistor industry will continue to develop towards miniaturization, high reliability, and intelligentization. This technological innovation and industrial upgrading will further drive the advancement of the global electronics industry.