Osram Opto Semiconductors expands chip capacity

March 7, 2011
Sunnyvale, CA--Osram Opto Semiconductors plans significant capacity expansion at two of its indium gallium nitride (InGaN) fabrication facilities. The InGaN chips are used for production of white-light LEDs (light emitting diodes). 

Sunnyvale, CA--Osram Opto Semiconductors plans significant capacity expansion at two of its indium gallium nitride (InGaN) fabrication facilities. The InGaN chips are used for production of white-light LEDs (light emitting diodes).

This capacity expansion will put Osram Opto Semiconductors on track to capitalize on the growth potential of international LED markets, according to the company. Estimates by market research company Strategies Unlimited (Mountain View, CA) put total global sales of high-brightness LEDs at $10.8 billion after they jumped 93% over the previous year.

Osram Opto Semiconductors is converting its two chip manufacturing facilities to 6-inch wafers while expanding production at both plants--a new production building is under construction in Penang, Malaysia, while in Regensburg, Germany, the existing space is being reallocated. The two facilities will each be converting to the new manufacturing technology. The 6-inch wafers will replace the current 4-inch wafers. These measures are expected to practically double the chip production capacity for white-light LEDs by the end of 2012.

The expansion of production capacity in Regensburg and Penang is intended by Osram Opto Semiconductors to be decisive in securing its leading position in the international marketplace. The Penang chip manufacturing plant, which opened nearly two years ago, has been slated for further expansion with the new production building and conversion to 6-inch wafers. The total manufacturing area will be raised to around 25,000 sqm (269,000 sq. ft.) in 2012, creating some 400 additional jobs in the process. At the Regensburg plant, the available area is to be reallocated and InGaN production to be converted step-by-step from as early as the summer of 2011.

"By expanding our capacities for high-performance InGaN chips, we are consistently consolidating our market position. The LED market harbors great growth potential in many different fields of application and we intend to continue harnessing this," said Aldo Kamper, CEO of Osram Opto Semiconductors. "The company is an important link in Osram's LED technology value-added chain."

For more information visit www.osram-os.com

About the Author

Stephen G. Anderson | Director, Industry Development - SPIE

 Stephen Anderson is a photonics industry expert with an international background and has been actively involved with lasers and photonics for more than 30 years. As Director, Industry Development at SPIE – The international society for optics and photonics – he is responsible for tracking the photonics industry markets and technology to help define long-term strategy, while also facilitating development of SPIE’s industry activities. Before joining SPIE, Anderson was Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief of Laser Focus World and chaired the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar. Anderson also co-founded the BioOptics World brand. Anderson holds a chemistry degree from the University of York and an Executive MBA from Golden Gate University.    

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