26 January 2017

Nikkiso and Formosa Plastic to form UV-LED joint venture

Tokyo-based medical and industrial equipment maker Nikkiso Co Ltd, its subsidiary Nikkiso Giken Co Ltd and Taiwan-based Formosa Plastic Group (FPG) have agreed to form a joint venture Nikkiso Formosa Co Ltd in Touliu, Yunlin County, Taiwan (starting business in July) for manufacturing and selling deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UVC-LED) products (i.e. components made by Nikkiso Co Ltd, plus instruments and equipment incorporating them). Deep UV-LEDs are usable as a light source in applications including water disinfection, air disinfection and deodorization, resin/ink curing, and analytical and measurement instruments.

Nikkiso will have a 51% stake in the JV and Formosa Plastic a 49% stake. With Formosa Plastic as the main investor, capital will be JPY4bn (about US$35m) initially, rising later to JPY8bn. Nikkiso will contribute UV LED technology developed by Nikkiso Giken. The two firms will each hold half the board member seats (with three board members coming from Nikkiso Co Ltd).

Nikkiso has succeeded in developing and mass producing what is claimed to be the world's highest-performance deep UV-LEDs, and has also developed applications including water disinfection modules. The new JV aims to establish a fully integrated UV-LED factory, from epitaxial wafers through package and testing to the final end-product.

Nikkiso reckons that the JV should allow for more rapid expansion into the deep UV-LED market, and provide high-performance and low-price deep UV-LEDs by combining Nikkiso's strengths in technology with Formosa Plastic's expertise in low-cost production (based on its experience of manufacturing visible-light LED components). The JV also aims to establish itself in deep UV-LED products by providing modules and systems closely aligned with the existing businesses of both companies. Production at the new factory should begin as early as 2018.

See related items:

Disinfection system maker AquiSense acquired by UV-C LED maker Nikkiso

Nikkiso to begin shipping record-power 50mW UVC deep UV LEDs

Nikkiso setting up deep UV LED production plant

Tags: UV LEDs

Visit: www.NikkisoUVLED.com

Visit: www2.fpg.com.tw