Sapphire wafer maker Crystalwise Technology will expand monthly production capacity at its subsidiary in China from 150,000 2-inch sapphire wafer equivalents at present, to at least double in 2013, while fellow maker Tera Xtal Technology will begin production at its factory in China with an initial monthly capacity of 150,000 2-inch sapphire wafers in the third quarter, according to the companies
Crystalwise, following its merger with Sino Sapphire in January 2013, has reached total monthly production capacity of 810,000 2-inch sapphire wafers, and 400,000 patterned sapphire substrates, the company noted. The capacity expansion in China is to meet increasing demand from LED factories established by Taiwan-based makers and China-based LED makers, Crystalwise said. LED demand has been on the rebound from the second half of 2012, and Crystalwise has received orders with shipments scheduled through April, the company indicated.
Tera Xtal will raise an additional paid-in capital of NT$1.14 billion (US$38.4 million) through issuing 30,000 new shares for private placement. The company has a monthly production capacity of 600,000 2-inch sapphire wafers in Taiwan.
Prices for a 2-inch sapphire wafer have risen from below US$7 at the beginning of the first quarter of 2013 to about US$7 currently and may further increase to US$7.50 in the second quarter, Crystalwise and Tera Xtal indicated.
