Wafer Works Saw a 50% Increase in Revenues

Substrate manufacturers such as Crystal Applied Technologies and Wafer Works reported increased revenues during April due to upstream sapphire substrates becoming more in demand as LED sales are rising globally. Wafer works saw a 50% increase in revenues during April and Crystal reported NT$160 million (US$5.5 million) while LED chip manufacturers Genesis Photonics, Tekcore, and Epileds all saw increased revenues during the same period. Alphaxtal (ACTC), however, reported a 14% decline in April over March due to production transition but stated that it will start producing 4-inch substrates instead of original 2-inch ones in order to meet industry demand. Industry sources noted, however, that sapphire ingot prices are still in a slump. Source: DIGITIMES