High-tech LED manufacturing plant opened

A new manufacturing plant has been opened in Malaysia by Osram Opto Semiconductors, already classed as the most advanced manufacturer of chips for LED systems in the world.

The plant is notable for being Osram’s first Asian location and the opening ceremony was held recently at the large site, which has allowed the firm’s production capacity for LED chips to double, with a sister site in Germany further helping to increase its output.

The chips created at the plant will be able to control blue, green and white LEDs for use in LED displays and the intention is to meet the growing demand for LEDs whilst simultaneously improving the quality and cutting the costs of manufacture.

The applications in which LEDs are being used are expanding almost as quickly as the market, with new LED displays, LED signs and LED systems being implemented across a number of industries, as well as in the consumer market.

Osram’s Martin Goetzeler said that the ability of LED systems to reduce energy consumption by up to 60 per cent compared to traditional lighting and display solutions is proving to be key to the growth of the industry.

Advertising hoardings are quickly becoming a key area in which LED displays are being employed and automotive lighting is also benefiting from LED technology.

Osram had a number of different Asian nations in the running for its new manufacturing plant, but it eventually settled on Malaysia because of the prevalence of local talent and cooperative government figures, according to Dr Ruediger Mueller.

Asia is now one of the world’s most densely populated areas when it comes to LED manufacturers, with a number of nations gaining significantly from an economic perspective as a result of the boom in demand for new LED displays and systems.