Epistar chairman Biing-Jye Lee, said that global shipments of LED light bulbs in 2013 may reach up to 600 million units which is three times as much as that in 2012. The growth rate will surge to 300%. However, Lee thought that this figure is still small, if the growth rate can stay around 300% per year, the global shipments of LED light bulbs are likely to rise to 2 billion units.
Lee added that when global shipments of LED light bulbs rise to 1.8-2 billion units, it will need 300 MOCVD equipments to meet the output. Considering the demands for LED tubes and other LED lights, the global LED market may bring itself back into equilibrium in the second half of 2014 to 2015. Currently the global productivity of MOCVD equipments is around 2,300 to 2,400.
In addition, the 40W retrofit LED light bulbs become the main battlefield for companies in the market. The ex-factory prices of 40W energy-saving light bulbs are about US$1.20/unit, and that of 40W retrofit LED light bulbs are around US$2.50/unit. Although the price gap is big, the lifespan of latter is three times as long as the former. And the price gap between them will continue to narrow.
The situation is different for 60W retrofit LED light bulbs. Lee said that the ex-factory price of 60W retrofit LED light bulbs is much higher than that of 60W energy-saving light, around 400-500%. Therefore, many lighting companies have been shifting focus to the 40W retrofit LED light bulbs.
