Despite leading the global LED component market in 2014, Taiwanese LED manufacturers are entering LED niche markets, according to an UDN report.

The country’s LED component market value reached US $4.7 billion in 2014, and has a 24% global market share, according to statistics compiled by Taiwan’s Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association (PIDA).

Even though Taiwanese LED manufacturers have retained top spot in the LED component market sector, many are developing niche market products to differentiate their products from competitors. Taiwanese LED manufacturers are developing these products on the back of their strong GaN, AlInGaP and AlGaAs technology foundations, said PIDA. Ultraviolet (UV) LED applications have broadened as LED technology advances to include the detection of counterfeited money, UV curing, insect trapping, printing, and even sterilization. It is estimated the UV LED market will grow 20% annually in the next few years.

The Infrared (IR) LED market is also a sector with very broad application market that covers remote controls, computer mouse, telecommunication, smartphone, cars, surveillance and medical applications.

Some of these applications will be displayed at the Taiwan International Lighting Show 2015 (TILS 2015), which will run from March 25-28, 2015 at TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall. UV and IR LED epiwafer manufacturers will gather at the show, including industry heavyweights, such as Epistar, Lextar and Optotech. Leading LED package manufacturers including Lite-On, Everlight, Lextar and others will also be showcasing their unique technological strengths at the show. In the UV/IR LED area, biophotonic devices, displays, 3D printing and fiber-optic communication applications will also be displayed.