As global environmental pollution escalates, the new generation lighting technology LED has become a major focus. LED replacement trend has been initiated as LED lighting efficiency and lifetime improves significantly, and has evident advantages in energy efficiency and environmental friendly.
The U.S. and EU LED market
Starting in 2014, the U.S. and European countries will be gradually phasing out the popular 40W-60W incandescent bulb. This policy has given LED lighting products an opportunity to become popularized, and will also spur global LED lighting manufacturers to speed up LED lighting strategies and further promote global LED lighting penetration rates. The U.S. government is gradually increasing promotion of LED lighting. Subsidies for Energy Star certified luminaires has soared, and has further lowered LED luminaire prices as a result. U.S. LED manufacturer Cree and others are also optimistic about LED lighting market developments in 2014, and expect retrofit LED luminaires to become the next major business focus and growth drive. In comparison to the relatively mature European market which has not issued large scale subsidies, the U.S. high power rates and different lighting culture has continued commercial lighting and architectural lighting demands. Due to the incandescent light bulb ban policies, the LED market is expected to continue stable growth.
Japan’s LED market
As a strong country in the LED sector, Japan has also played a major role in promoting industry development. Japan began developing its semi-conductor lighting technology and industrialization project “21st Century Light Project” about 14 years ago. The country is one of the first countries to have LED policies to support the industry. Under Japanese government’s massive support, the LED industry has grown quickly in recent years. At the same time Japanese are increasingly more aware about conserving energy. The government has especially been promoting a “low-carbon society”, two years after the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and has made reducing carbon emissions a major goal. The popularity of LED lighting products has grown at exponential rates, and has become a representative for energy-saving products.
China’s LED market
China, which is the world’s largest market for LED applications, has launched its “Gradual Phase Out of Incandescent Bulb Roadmap” since 2012. The decision was made on Oct. 1, 2012 to gradually ban the sale and import of incandescent bulbs for general lighting. The Chinese government has been taking this a step further in 2013, with China’s State Council’s release of “Opinion of Promoting the Development of Energy Saving and Environmental Protection Industry” and the “Semiconductor Lighting Industry Plan” a joint project between six ministries and commissions including the country’s
National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Finance and others. China’s government policy has clearly highlighted the importance of LED lighting in reducing carbon emissions. In addition, the Chinese government is also actively promoting the LED lighting industry through government subsidies.
In addition, emerging LED markets such as Brazil, India, Vietnam and Russia are also developing their own plans and drafts to support the LED lighting sector development. These areas demands for LED lighting products have obviously increased. As the LED lighting market quickly develops, performance in public LED and commercial lighting have been especially evident.
Moreover, in the next one to three years there will be large market demands for LED lighting, which will be able to support government policies and further stimulate market growth.
