High-brightness LEDs emphasized

Taiwan is aiming for an increased production capacity for high-brightness LEDs to take advantage of strong demand for backlights used in midsize and large displays.

The island accounts for about 25 percent of global output. It has more than 100 LED packaging suppliers offering the diode type, with the leading ones conducting aggressive R&D activities. Other companies are expected to swell their ranks and advance Taiwan’s status further as a hub offering costdown and innovative options.

The fastest-growing LED category worldwide, high-brightness units have an estimated value of $5.5 billion in 2009, or a 78 percent share of the total. By 2012, this will reach 90 percent.

The line finds widest use in mobile devices, which account for about 37 percent of output, followed by displays and signage with 28 percent. Due to the economic crunch, demand from the first experienced a downturn in 2009.

Adoption in displays and signage, meanwhile, will continue to expand and even surpass the mobile segment by 2012, hitting $4.1 billion from $1.5 billion in 2009.

Uptake in general lighting will also see significant growth, from about $438 million to $1.4 billion in 2009-12.

Global projections are at $10.8 billion by 2012 or a two-digit YoY growth rate, according to the Topology Research Institute.