With the LED lighting market booming and LEDs in backlight spec changes, the mid power spec market had taken center stage within the LED industry this year, already surpassing the high power market in initial output value. LED drivers with EMC lead frames can reach 1-2W power output which can supply the mid power and mid/high power LED market. LED package manufacturers are expanding EMC production capacity. After improvements to PCT lead frame materials, LED package manufacturers plan to introduce PCT products into the mid power market. Flip-chip products are also making their way in the 2014 mid power market.
EMC products have become a rising star this year amid the emerging mid power market. Nichia has released the popular EMC 757 series on the market this year. With EMC products able to be employed in direct-lit backlighting and the lighting market, as well as rapid price declines, LED package manufacturers have begun expanding EMC product development and production capacity.
Nichia has come out on top among LED package manufacture for EMC production capacity, with single month production reaching 800KK. Following close behind is Chinese LED package manufacturer Lighting Optoelectronics with 2700KK. Among Taiwanese LED package manufacturers, AOT single month peak production reached 1200KK. The recent acquisition of China Electric, GIO Optoelectronics has a single month production capacity of 80KK and Everlight reached 60KK. Each manufacturer plans to continue with EMC production capacity expansion in 2014.
PCT lead frame driver power has increased from 0.7W-1.2W through improvements by Taiwanese and Korean manufacturers. This has not only distanced PCT and PPA lead frames but also pushed PCT into the once EMC dominated 0.7W01.2W market. High cost/performance ratio (C/P) PCT products have also become an important mid power product line for some LED package manufactures in 2014.
Initial output value for the mid power market has already surpassed high power in 2013. Philips Lumileds originally focused on the high power market, but in 2013 turned their attention towards mid power. Philips Lumileds has already launched several mid power products and plans to also use a smaller flip chip with better lumens per area, wider beam angle, and five-sided emitter in the mid power market in 2014, showing how much importance the company places on the mid power market.
