KEMET Receives Defense Logistics Agency Approval for MIL-PRF-32535 “M” and “T” Levels

KEMET Receives Defense Logistics Agency Approval for MIL-PRF-32535 “M” and “T” Levels

Industry-Leading Base Metal Technology Enhances Ceramic Defense and Aerospace Portfolio

GREENVILLE, S.C., Dec. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KEMET Corporation (NYSE:KEM), a leading global supplier of electronic components, today announced that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has accepted KEMET’s qualification of C0G and BP dielectrics to MIL-PRF-32535 “M” and “T” levels making them the first base metal electrode (BME) MLCCs qualified for defense and aerospace applications. MIL-PRF-32535 is the DLA’s first capacitor specification for defense and aerospace that capitalizes on industry leading base metal electrode (BME) technology. KEMET's MIL-PRF-32535 series utilizes BME technology to deliver up to an 18-fold increase in capacitance for C0G and BP dielectrics compared to the offerings in MIL-PRF-123 and MIL-PRF-55681 using precious metal electrode (PME) ceramic capacitors.

MIL-PRF-32535 is the first DLA specification to recognize a flexible termination option. KEMET's flexible termination utilizes a pliable conductive silver epoxy in the termination system. The addition of this epoxy layer inhibits the transfer of board stress to the rigid ceramic body, therefore mitigating flex cracks that can result in low insulation resistance or short circuit failures.

“This first-to-market product brings a paradigm shift in defense and aerospace applications with the use of BME technology,” said Dr. Abhijit Gurav, KEMET Vice President of Ceramic Technology. “KEMET has been a leader in BME technology development for more than 20 years. With the long term, proven success of BME ceramic capacitors in high reliability medical and automotive applications, combined with higher volumetric efficiency, design engineers will now have access to significantly higher capacitance values in smaller case sizes. This enables more functionality, while reducing the payload weight in defense and space applications.”

About KEMET

KEMET Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of electronic components that meet the highest standards for quality, delivery and service. The company offers its customers the broadest selection of capacitor technologies in the industry across all dielectrics, along with an expanding range of electromechanical devices, electromagnetic compatibility solutions and supercapacitors. KEMET’s corporate headquarters are in South Carolina; the company also operates manufacturing facilities, sales and distribution centers around the world. KEMET’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “KEM.” Additional information about KEMET can be found at www.kemet.com.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws about KEMET Corporation’s (the "Company") financial condition and results of operations that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets in which the Company operates, as well as management's beliefs and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's judgment only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

Certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcome and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements are described in the Company’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ca451f1-9a17-436e-8128-43c8fac6b9cb

Contact:   Dr. John C. Boan
 Vice President, Marketing
 [email protected]
 954.766.2813