The Japan-based LED maker Nichia announced that Lumitronix LED-Technik GmbH had became Nichia’s first official LED distributor in Germany from January 1, 2011. In the past, Nichia had used to supply its LEDs directly to end-use customers, without using distribution channels anywhere in the world. Nichia had also broken with its own tradition by cooperating with Lumitronix.

The market estimated that LED lighting products’ prices would drop by 15-20% each year amid increase competition in the market as vendors reduce prices to gain market share, which even be fall to one-third of current prices. At first, the Japanese market appeared to price war in 2009. Sources from LED companies indicated that the price competition had extended to China, Europe and the US.

A leader of Ledtech Electronics introduced, in 2011, the company would emphasis on the indoor lighting and low-temperature lighting market, working hard for revenue up 50% on year, which meant about NT$2.6 billion (US$89.27 million).

After introduced 100W LED high bay light in year 2010, Apple Lighting likes to introduce new LED Plants Grow Lights today, product range from 10 Watts to 100 Watts are available. Plants need different light spectrums in different growing stage, when small young seed needs the blue light to get leaf strong and mature plants need the red light to reproduce and set fruits or flower.

It’s reported that Philips Lighting has brightened the Cebu Capitol building with LED bulbs. According to Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre, launched last month, the lighted Capitol building will be maintained by the company free of charge. The LED bulbs allow the Capitol to save 70 percent in power bills. No maintenance or replacement of bulbs is needed for the next 15 years at least.

A power control IC company iWatt’s president and CEO, Ron Edgerton is reported to present as a panel member in the private company track during the Piper Jaffray Sixth Annual Clean Technology & Renewables Conference which will held at The Westin New York at Times Square on January 12, 2011. Mr. Edgerton will discuss the role iWatt’s GreenTech power supply control ICs play in the clean technology industry, and specifically in the LED solid state lighting markets.

InvenLux Optoelectronics (China) has ordered Jordan Valley Semiconductors (JVS)’ QC3 HRXRD tool which is designed to provide characterization for GaAs, InP, Si and GaN (thick buffers) for HB-LED manufacturing industry.

Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) has further simplified indoor LED fixture design with its newly optimized XLamp® MX-6 LEDs, which feature higher flux options, new, longer lifetime estimates and higher CRI options. Cree has also completed LM-80 testing on MX-6 LEDs, which can enable quicker time to market for manufacturers designing ENERGY STAR®-rated fixtures.

Samsung Electronics has showed off more than 40 new LED models with screen sizes from 19-inches to 65-inches at the International Consumer Electronics Show. The new TVs offer dramatically enhanced picture quality in 2D, 3D, HD and streaming content, as well as richer connected entertainment options delivered through one of the most comprehensive offering of apps and connected devices. In addition, Samsung will also expand the number of 3D TV models available in 2011.

Arima Optoelectronics had got the first segment of patent licensing charge from its Chinese joint venture in Shanxi. The total licensing charge was CNY270 million and the joint venture would pay the full amount in five years with the first installment of CNY120 million (US$15.45 million) and CNY102 million after tax.

*Products Lines: LED High Bay、Commercial down-lite、wall light、Ceiling light、Single spot Light、Track Light、Cabinet Light、Bar lgiht、Stair Light、Table Light Etc.. *High technical、Stable、Good Quality in LED Solutions.                          

For all of 2010, Thinking Electronic Industrial posted revenues of NT$4.33 billion, increasing 35.8% from a year earlier. December consolidated revenues were NT$367 million (US$12.61 million), down 3.7% sequentially. In January of 2011, the company started to receive orders as usual, and Thinking's capacity would remain tight in 1Q11 as the company's new plant in China would not come online until 3Q11. But 1Q11 revenues would remain low compared to 4Q10, following the impact of the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.

Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) announced today that it has acquired Optimum Lighting LLC, a privately owned company specializing in customized energy-efficient lighting solutions for the office, industry and retail segments. This acquisition complements Philips’ customer-centric innovation capabilities and strengthens its global leadership position in professional lighting solutions.

Industry sources estimated Richtek Technology 1Q revenues in 2011 would be up 5-10% sequentially, with it's working hard in the handset, LED backlight and consumer electronics. In 2010, 4Q revenues were expected to top NT$2.6 billion, which was higher than the company's projection of NT$2.2-2.5 billion, with gross margin down about 35-38%. Except that, Richtek had completed a buyback of one million company shares from the open market at an average price of NT$253.53 per share.

It’s reportedly that Taiwan's Laser Tek planed to acquire a small- to medium-sized company specializing in surface-mount-technology (SMT) equipment, in order to advance its semiconductor equipment portfolio.

The All-New GL Procyon Series-Flood Light (SP100W-CW/WW)

Based on the emergency carpet lighting on airplanes, Netherlands-based Lama Concept has created a RGB LED light embedded carpet. According to the designer, people can find their way by this Cell+Led lights. “The strings are put together randomly so a natural pattern will evolve together with a playful finishing of the edges. Another advantage of the carpet being made out of strings is that they can be replaced by new ones.”

The supplier of large-format LED display systems, Daktronics Inc. recently has contracted with Garden State Outdoor to install a high-contrast digital LED billboard at the end of the Atlantic City Expressway. The new 12 mm LED billboard advertises exclusively for Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Casino and Hotel locations in Atlantic City, and measures approximately 16 feet by 60 feet.

Home decor and furniture company IKEA has stopped stocking or selling incandescent light bulbs in its US stores. This action comes ahead of federal legislation that would mandate more efficient light bulbs starting in 2012. The retailer began phasing out the sale of the light bulbs in August. The pullout also applies to IKEA stores in Canada. Stores in France and Australia started phasing out the incandescent bulbs last year. At present, IKEA's available lighting options include the compact fluorescent bulb, LED, halogen and solar-powered lamps.

It’s reported that City of Foley is thinking about updating some new light throughout the city by experimenting with LED technology. On Monday, Bravo Zulu, a technology company specializing in communications and monitoring technology have given a presentation focused on the benefits LED light technology could have for the city, and ways the technology could be implemented to the city council.

AVX Corporation, a leading manufacturer of passive components and interconnect solutions, recently received the Passive & Electromechanical Product of the Year at the Elektra Awards for its new surface mount polymer tantalum capacitors. Reviewed by an independent panel of judges, the Elektra 2010 European Electronics Industry Awards is an annual celebration of the European electronics industry that recognizes the achievements of individuals and companies.

Recently, California introduced a new standard for the energy efficiency of 100W incandescent lamps. A 100-watt bulb manufactured on or after January 1, 2011 must use 28% less energy in California states, with providing the same amount of light (in lumens). The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) designed the law, which would reduce energy use and associated pollution and make the United States less dependent on foreign sources of energy. Also, the law would save California consumers money.

In 4Q10, the LED-backlit shipment which were applied LCD TVs, monitors and notebooks, had a 40% share in the Chimei Innolux's(CMI) total panel shipments, and it’s expected to reach 50% in 1Q11. In the CMI’s LED-backlit applications, TV panel shipments had a 15%, and monitor panels accounted for 30%, with 100% of notebook panels in 4Q10.

Taiwan monocrystalline sapphire ingots’ manufactory USI Optronics reportedly expected its global market share to increase to 13-15% in 2011, with its orders beyond its production capacity in 1Q of 2011. The sources pointed out, in the end of 2010, USI Optronics produced monocrystalline sapphire ingots to increase 220,000mm every month, and planed to increase to 550,000mm at the end of 2011, which was decided by the perfect quality and competitive price. Also, the company’ global market share would rise in 2011.

Outlook of LED Industry Trend in 2011   Brief Review of 2010 LED Industry Development – LED Manufacturers Celebrated a Fruitful Year 2010 was a fruitful year for LED manufacturers. Not only did manufacturers overcome the gloomy market condition in 2009, most managed to grow their revenues at an exponential rate due to the robust demand for large-size LED backlighting.

Toshiba is reported to start offering 40 types of LED tube lamps by March that it will market to offices and factories.   Toshiba will offer standard 40-watt lamps as well as 20-watt tubes. Besides, it plans to have 80 types on the market by June.

The Central Railway (CR) in Mumbai has planed to replace the remaining 1,700 signals on its suburban network and has sought approval from the Railway Board to help reduce costs and maintenance of signals and eliminates instances of signal failure. Each signal post usually consists of four colored lamps, one each of green and red and two amber ones.

According to Times of Oman, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced that the Australia-based Solar-Gem would use solar energy to supply electricity to the Elephanta Caves in India. According to Singh , this project was launched last month and would provide three villages with electricity for the first time on 24/7 basis. The company would use LED lamps from panels that store sun rays as electricity in battery units.

According to an official from optoelectronic components manufacturer, RONA Electricals (Pvt) Ltd, the firm will build a factory to manufacture solid-state lighting or LED bulbs in the Gampaha district to introduce more energy saving lighting among Sri Lankan consumers and reduce electricity bill. As their first project, the company is retro-fitting the existing energy consuming bulbs at all 22 places of Buddhist worship which receive free electricity from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) .

Ural State University’s scientists have combined a LED and a computer fan to create a new lamp, which can work for 50 000 hours, expecting to provide more efficient than a general street light.