Light Emitting Diodes for Lighting Applications

Report Highlights

• HB-LED shipments will rise at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 18.5% to reach $3.3 billion by 2007.
• Automotive market HB-LEDs will average 33% annual growth through 2007.
• Display backlighting will grow at an AAGR of 24% to reach $1.5 billion in 2007.
• HB-LED traffic light units will increase to 26.7 million by 2007.

INTRODUCTION

The next advancement in lighting technology is the LED. Among the most widespread, important and growing uses of energy is electricity for lighting. In the United States, approximately 20% of electricity and 7.2% of all energy, is consumed to provide lighting. On a worldwide basis, these percentages are similar. Consequently, improvements in lighting efficiency would have an important impact on the entire world. Increasing the efficacies of existing lighting systems would decrease demand for electricity and reduce carbon emissions. The quality and consistency of lighting also would improve for all of its users.

Such an improvement lies in high-brightness light-emitting diodes. These are much more powerful than traditional indicator-type LEDs, and operate differently from traditional bulb products. They offer lower power consumption, longer operating life and environmental advantages. Different material structures are used to fabricate these high-brightness devices, and their fabrication methods are unique.

BCC examines the current position of high-brightness LEDs in five major industry groups. It studies the different types of HB-LEDs and the materials used. It reviews the different LED technologies and the processes used to fabricate them. It presents a worldwide industry structure, and assesses the HB-LED industry’s competitiveness. Within each industry, the report observes the key advantages of this new technology. It analyzes the market factors that will impact demand and projected shipments of HB-LEDs, and estimates their value to 2007.

BCC also estimates the total number of individual LEDs being manufactured and presents an analysis of substrate materials. It also compares the progress of these new solid-state devices with traditional bulb products.

This study will be of interest to decision-makers, developers, strategists and marketers in the photonics, solid-state and microelectronic device industries, as well as those involved with automotive industry lighting systems, displays, traffic planning, and those involved with general lighting. It also will be of interest to companies engaged in the manufacture of deposition equipment and materials.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This comprehensive report provides coverage of:

• Technologies and materials for fabricating colored and white LEDs
• Five key industries where HB-LEDs are used
• Current market status and future impact
• Market projections from 2002 through 2007
• A worldwide analysis of regional markets
• Government funding and support and industry involvement and standards.

METHODOLOGY

BCC presents an analysis, for each industry, of the number of LED units shipped in 2001. Estimated value is what manufacturers have paid in undepreciated dollars. Then, based on BCC surveys, it analyzes the potential market for each industry and forecasts shipments for 2002 and then for 2007. It also analyzes the cost of HB-LEDs and presents an estimated value of shipments for these same time periods.

INFORMATION SOURCES

BCC surveyed approximately 100 companies to obtain data for this study. Included were LED manufacturers, makers of fabrication equipment and related materials. BCC also talked with companies that specialize in lighting, and with executives in all of the industries it analyzed. Research also included various national laboratories and universities engaged in LED research. In addition, BCC compiled data from current financial and trade information and government sources.

ANALYSTS CREDENTIALS

Robert Moran has written extensively as a researcher and editor at BCC after a successful career at IBM. He edits both Microtechnology News and Display Development News and is the author of numerous BCC market research documents. The topics of his reports range from various deposition technologies to electronic displays, electronic publishing, solar energy and fiber optics. Mr. Moran has been with BCC for over 20 years. B.S., Economics, University of Pennsylvania.