LED market development in China

BEIJING, CHINA: Himfr.com, one of China's leading B2B search platforms with more than 30 B2B industry websites to its name, analyzes the development of the LED market in China.

Amid uncertainties of economic recovery in the half-half of 2009, consumer demand was not strong, and demand of end-consumers for electronic products also remained still weak. However, Himfr.com's analyst estimated that the LED industry in 2009 would sustain a positive growth driven by the growth in LED laptops market, as the penetration rate speeds up.

Facing uncertain market prospects, the analyst believes that LED industry, which has energy-saving advantages, will become a core industry this year; there is huge market potential for LED lamps, outdoor display screen and LED backlight modules fields.

LED can achieve high-light conversion efficiency, and with less power consumption, along with its small size, light weight, long life, non-mercury, non-radiation environmental protection advantages, coupled with a wide range of applications, including partial lighting, backlight panel, buildings (landscape) lighting, traffic lighting, medical and light source, such as agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry equipment, it becomes a manufacturers' favorite.

There is a vast market for LED street lamps in 2009, amounting to 2.5 million calixs, with an annual growth rate of 178 percent. However, for LED lighting to officially enter the mainstream, the cost is the biggest obstacle. Manufacturers need to lower the cost of LED lamps in the long run in order to stay competitive.

The growing popularity of LED lighting has become an irreversible trend, and LED manufacturers are starting to explore more features to develop niche markets. Import is an obvious choice and the focus will turn gradually to the general lighting applications market.

Crystal IS, Sanan Optoelectronics to develop commercial UV-C LEDs

GREEN ISLAND, USA: Crystal IS Inc., the world’s leading developer of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-C LEDs) and Sanan Optoelectronics Co. Ltd., the largest manufacturer of full color LEDs in the People’s Republic of China, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The MOU defines a joint development program, whose goal is to establish pilot manufacturing of LEDs operating in the UV-C part of the electromagnetic spectrum. During the term of this MOU, both parties intend to negotiate a long term business agreement covering high volume manufacturing, marketing and sales.

“Working with an experienced and dynamic company like Sanan Optoelectronics will significantly speed up the market introduction of UV-C LEDs,” said Crystal IS CEO Steven Berger. “Leveraging Sanan Optoelectonrics’ unique expertise in processing and packaging will allow us to focus on making the precision substrates required for efficient UV-C LEDs”

“The opportunity to partner with Crystal IS on a new LED technology will help Sanan Optoelectronics maintain its leadership position for the future,” said Sanan Optoelectronics CEO Simon Lin. “We expect downstream integrators of UV-based products will welcome an established supply train for this new product.

The developed UV-C LEDs will operate at the optimal germicidal wavelength, and are ideal for use in water and air sterilization products. Initial applications will include portable and residential point-of-use systems such as cleantech alternatives to bottled water and in-home counter-top systems.

The technology roadmap also includes industrial and municipal applications, where long-lasting, energy-efficient LEDs are ideal replacements for existing mercury-based light sources.