Epistar has been developing LED candle lamps and sales are expected to show growth in the first half of 2013. Currently, order visibility for LED candle lamps is clear through the end of the second quarter, according to Epistar.
Epistar will showcase LED candle lamps at the Taiwan International Lighting Show from March 26-29. Epistar's LED candle lamps adopt a design solution using high-pressure LED chips.
In 2012, the LED candle lamp penetration rate in the LED lighting market was less than 5%, but Epistar believes the penetration rate is likely to reach close to 10% in 2013. Although the product is still in the initial growth period, market demand is expected to grow significantly, said the firm. The market for LED candle lamps is quite small in Taiwan, added Epistar, but applications in markets such as Europe and North America are used widely.
Traditional candle lamps are normally 40W with a brightness of 400 lumens, but the average LED candle lamp has a brightness of only around 200-300 lumens, which is less attractive to customers. Through the high-pressure LED chip solution, Epistar can increase the luminous efficacy to 160lm/W and the brightness of lighting fixtures can be increased to 400-500 lumens.
Another Taiwan-based LED firm, Genesis Photonics, has also been developing LED products such as ceiling lights, light bulbs, and candle lamps for its Match LED product line. Genesis has received orders for 100,000 LED candle lamps from Europe- and US-based customers. The firm hopes to obtain orders from Japan and emerging markets. However, due to product verification, Genesis expects shipments to begin in the second half of 2013.
Genesis noted that the firm aims to become a solution provider and will focus on integrated designs and the manufacture of LED products.
