Ajinomoto, a seasonings maker, emerges as an AI infrastructure beneficiary through its insulating materials business for semiconductors

Ajinomoto holds more than 95% of global market share for insulating materials (called Build-Up Film, or ABF) used in personal computers and data center servers.

The company's stock gained 61% so far in 2026, on track for its best year since 1986, after an investment manager at Brompton Funds bought shares in July and added more in October.

Ajinomoto is best known for making monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer, but its lesser-known semiconductor packaging business benefits from the artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout.