Rising June revenues for LED chipmakers helped upstream sapphire substrate makers such as Crystal Applied, Crystalwise, and Tera Xtal see June revenues reach above NT$160 million (US$5.34 million).
Despite rising demand from LED chipmakers holding the price of 2-inch sapphire substrates around US$8.5-9/unit, third-quarter 2012 pricing is likely to remain flat because LED chips will enter a weak season. The price of 2-inch sapphire substrates is unlikely to reach US$10/unit in 2012, said industry sources.
Tera Xtal reported June revenues of NT$160 million, up 13.48% on month. Accumulated revenues for first-half 2012 were NT$776 million. The firm noted that its 450,000 units of monthly capacity for substrates has been almost full. In the third quarter, the firm's monthly capacity will likely reach 600,000 units.
Crystalwise's June revenues were close to flat compared to May revenues, showing a slight increase of 1.85% on month.
Crystal Applied reported June revenues of NT$191 million, an on-month increase of 11.7%.
Industry sources added that there has been a shortage for patterned sapphire substrates (PSSs) due to rising demand from LED chipmakers. The price of PSSs has been above US$18/unit.
Price of sapphire substrates likely to remain flat in 3Q12
