2 December 2010

LED market grows from $6.1bn in 2009 to $10bn in 2010

Although the TV backlighting boom has temporarily fallen in fourth-quarter 2010 due to weaker demand and supply chain corrections, 2010 was still a year of tremendous growth in the LED industry, dramatically higher than the typical growth rates of recent years, according to IMS Research.

The analyst firm believes that the market for LEDs (including all types: standard, AlInGaP and InGaN) has grown from $6.1bn in 2009 to about $10bn in 2010, driven by economic recovery, lighting and above all backlights, especially in TVs. Suppliers are hence having to grow by 64% this year just to maintain their market share.

Nichia is still the number one in market share by total revenue in 2009 and 2010, with Seoul Semiconductor, Samsung LED and Cree among the suppliers with the strongest growth in 2010.

However, in 2011 Nichia will be challenged strongly by Samsung LED, which now has the capacity to take the number 1 position, and increasing demand for LED TVs from Q2/2011 onwards should enable them to do so. IMS ranks Samsung as third in 2009 and second in 2010, swapping places with Osram, which has previously ranked second for many years.

Lumileds (ranked third by IMS in 2006, 2007 and 2008) has fallen to fourth in 2009 and a provisional 6th in 2010. Its market share has actually been fairly steady as they are estimated to have grown in line with the market, but they look set to fall in rank due to tremendous growth from Seoul Semiconductor and Cree. Along with Samsung, these suppliers are among those who have grown even more than 64% in 2010.

Market shares vary by application segment. For lighting, IMS believes Cree is the market leader. For automotive, Osram is the market leader. Nichia is also strong in both these sectors as well as backlighting and signage/large displays. However, 2011 will be an interesting year for the LED industry in terms of market shares, reckons IMS, with Samsung and others continuing to challenge Nichia’s long-standing position as market leader.

See related items:

LED market to grow from $7bn in 2009 to $10.7bn in 2010 then $20.4bn in 2012

Tags: LEDs

Visit: www.imsresearch.com