Technologically, resin bond diamond wire produced by Tanlong Photoelectric (Tanlong) is not ready for cutting sapphire, commented the company during a meeting with investors on Feb. 17, 2014. Sapphire cutting is mainly done by electroplated diamond wire.

Apple’s entry into sapphire markets has drawn the attention of investors towards sapphire concept stock in China’s A shares market. The company benefited from Apple’s entry into the sapphire market, said a member of their securities department. Although, orders remain the same, increase in downstream demands will be affecting later sales of sapphire growth furnaces. When asked if the company plans to manufacture sapphire in-house with its own growth furnaces, the company responded that it is still discussing the possibility of extending into downstream operations.

LEDinside Editor observation: Sapphire application outside of LEDs has soared since Apple first introduced the material into iPhone5. Tanlong, an A stock listed company manufacturing sapphire growth furnaces, has garnered much attention. Further sapphire substrate developments by the company is worth observing.