West of the Panasonic Group has recently decided to shut down its cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) factory in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, as LED backlight is gaining ground for various applications including LCD TVs, the Taiwan Economic News reports.

According to industry executives, the closure of the CCFL factory indicates the trend of LED quickly replacing CCFL as backlights in LCD TVs, laptops and monitors.

The factory now employs 200 full-time workers and 300 temporary workers. West is said to move to mainland China to continue the production after closing the Taiwan factory, the report said.

By the year end, LED is estimated to be used in 27.8% of all large-size LCD panels. In 2010, LED is estimated to light up 44% of LCD TVs and monitors combined, according to the report.