Revenues for South Korea-based LED firms have been rising due to the introduction of affordable LED direct-type TVs and lighting products since 2012. Digitimes Research expects strong performance from Korea LED firms in 2013.
Digitimes Research predicts Seoul Semiconductor to see 2013 revenues from LED sales reach KRW1.2 trillion (US$1.06 billion), representing an on-year growth of 40.3%. In 2012, Seoul Semiconductor had an average capacity utilization rate of 58.6%. The firm has been improving technology and introduced LED packaging products for street lamps that do not require current-to-voltage converters. For 2013, Seoul Semiconductor plans to strengthen sales of LED products for automobiles and lighting, and hopes to obtain product verifications in the US and bids for street lamp projects in China.
LG Innotek is likely to see 2013 revenues reach KRW1.82 trillion, Digitimes Research estimates. In 2012, the firm had an average capacity utilization rate of only 38.5% but due to rising demand for LED lighting, the capacity utilization rate is expected to increase in 2013. The firm has strong LED packaging technology and the brightness efficiency of its mid-power LED for lighting applications has reached 170lm/W. LG Innotek and Canada-based LED packaging distributor Future Lighting Solution announced a worldwide strategic alliance at the end of 2012. The cooperation will allow LG Innotek to expand its global LED lighting distribution channels in 2013.
The LED business unit of Samsung Electronics may have flat 2013 revenues compared to 2012 revenues of KRW923.4 billion, Digitimes Research predicts. The firm saw 2012 average capacity utilization rate of 60% but the figure is expected to grow in 2013. The firm has introduced indoor LED lighting products with brightness efficiency of 160lm/W. Samsung's LED business unit has a complete supply chain but has been relying on backlighting applications. The firm plans to expand its presence in the LED lighting market in 2013.
