Cost-effective indoor luminaires gaining ground

	This downlight from Firefly has 12 Everlight LEDs and can last up to 30,000 hours.

Makers are upgrading product performance to reach more markets.

China suppliers of LED indoor luminaires are looking at 2011 with an optimistic view, anticipating exports to grow at double-digit levels during the period. Encouraged by the strong demand for diode-based fixtures, many are adjusting selections to penetrate more lighting applications and geographic markets.

A number of companies are upgrading product performance to make models more cost-effective. This is because while LED types provide greater energy savings, they are priced significantly higher than traditional fixtures. Quotes for the former are at least four times those of designs fitted with CFLs, halogen bulbs and fluorescent tubes.

At many companies, R&D efforts center on boosting lumen maintenance and service life. The latest releases now have a lumen depreciation rate of less than 3 percent after 1,000 hours, and most can last 30,000 to 50,000 hours.

Several manufacturers are also improving light output to meet stage, office, commercial and industrial lighting requirements.

Hangzhou Hemos Lighting Co. Ltd, for instance, has released the model IOU00101 ceiling light that can generate 3,100 lumens. Meant for offices and commercial areas, the unit has an aluminum housing fitted with 672 SMD LEDs.

Another fixture, the model IOB21201 spotlight is designed for stage lighting. With 27 Cree LEDs, it can produce 3,645 lumens.

Besides improving technical specifications, suppliers of LED indoor luminaires are modifying aesthetics to suit different interiors and lifestyles. Several makers, including Ningbo Finder Lighting Technology Co. Ltd, are also releasing models for cabinet and furniture illumination.

To boost performance-to-price ratios further, some enterprises are pursuing backward integration for better control over production outlay. Among these is Imin Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd, which intends to establish its own LED packaging facility.

LED types constitute approximately 20 percent of China’s total output of indoor lighting fixtures. Models are priced based on the raw materials and components adopted.

For grid lights, quotes start at $60 and can go over $100. Designs typically have a housing made of plastic-coated cold-rolled steel, while the reflector is in aluminum or stainless steel.

Units are normally bundled with T5 or T8 LED and fluorescent tubes. Variants using only LEDs such as Hangzhou Hemos’ IOU00101 model are available as well.

Priced starting at $10, most downlights and spotlights come with steel or aluminum alloy housings and reflectors. Designs below $30 can also employ cast iron and plastic for the former.

Models at the higher end of the price spectrum are contained in either stainless steel or brass. Utilizing pure aluminum alloy for reflectors, these exceed $50 each.

Ranging from $10 to $30, pendant lights can be constructed from different types of plastic, glass, metal and natural materials. Some upscale versions adopt synthetic quartz crystal for visual appeal.

According to interviewed suppliers, pricing for LED indoor luminaires will remain relatively stable in coming months despite the higher outlay for certain manufacturing inputs.

This is because no significant change in the cost of chips is expected. In fact, companies are anticipating rates for the components to go down 10 percent in the first six months of 2011.

LED chips from Taiwan, the US and Japan are roughly at $50 per 1,000 units, while locally made versions are at less than $10. Rates are approximately 50 percent higher YoY.

North America and the EU will continue to be the main destinations of LED indoor luminaires in coming months. At present, the two areas take in approximately 60 percent of China’s exports.

Japan is also considered an attractive market, particularly for high-end designs. The country currently accounts for only 5 percent of overseas deliveries, but this share is expected to expand within two years.

At Ningbo Zhen Mingli Lighting Co. Ltd, products shipped to Japan already constitute 10 percent of exports. The area is also a key destination for Yongkang Xingguang Electrical Manufacture Co. Ltd, taking in 20 percent of deliveries abroad.

Firefly Lighting Co. Ltd and Ningbo Rayco Light Electric Technology Co. Ltd both credit the country as accounting for 30 percent of overseas-bound luminaires. The shipments of these makers are covered by OEM agreements.

Mainland China-made LED indoor luminaires sent to Japan are typically equipped with diodes from Taiwan or farther abroad. Units are manufactured using equipment from Japan or the US.

Interviewed suppliers are anticipating at least 20 percent export growth in 2011.

Firefly, in particular, is projecting shipments will soar 400 percent, while Yongkang Xingguang is looking at a 100 percent increase.

Imin, established only in 2010, is expecting exports to surge 60 percent based on strong sales during its first year.

Firefly Lighting Co. Ltd

Model: FF-DL-AC(85-245)V12
MOQ: 500 units
Delivery: 25 days
Description: Downlight; glass and aluminum alloy housing; 12 Everlight LEDs; 850 lumens; 14W; 85 to 245V; 3,000 to 8,000K color temperature; 30,000hr service life; CE, RoHS

Fujian Huifeng Lighting Technology Co. Ltd

Model: HF-DD140
MOQ: 10 units
Delivery: 20 days
Description: Pendant light; cast aluminum housing; 12 1W LEDs; 15W; 100 to 265V at 50/60Hz; 50,000hr service life; CE

Hangzhou Hemos Lighting Co. Ltd

Model: IOU00101
MOQ: 50 units
Delivery: 30 days
Description: Ceiling light; aluminum housing; 672 3528 SMD LEDs; 3,100 lumens; 40W; 90 to 260V; 50,000hr service life; CE, SGS

Imin Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd

Model: IMIN-YJ-PL-001-1
MOQ: 500 units
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $9.70
Description: Indoor light; stainless steel or PMMA housing; 17 LEDs; 100 to 240VAC at 50/60Hz; 2,700 to 9,000K color temperature; 50,000hr service life; 13x10x24cm

Ningbo Finder Lighting Technology Co. Ltd

Model: LED Cabinet Light
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 15 days
Description: LED cabinet light; plastic housing; 1W; 220V; natural white; 50,000hr service life; 60mm diameter; CE, RoHS, TÜV

Ningbo Rayco Light Electric Technology Co. Ltd

Model: RT003
MOQ: 200 units
Delivery: 10 days
Price: $7
Description: Ceiling light; aluminum housing; one Epistar chip; 75 lumens; 1W; 110 to 240V; 3,000 to 6,000K color temperature; 50,000hr service life; RoHS

Ningbo Zhen Mingli Lighting Co. Ltd

Model: ZML-DL5 1W-10A
MOQ: 500 units
Delivery: 20 days
Description: Downlight; aluminum housing; five 1W Epistar LEDs; 400 lumens; 5W; 220V at 50Hz; 2,700 to 7,000K color temperature; 50,000hr service life; CE, RoHS

Xingyi Lighting Co. Ltd

Model: LED-Q4-6A
MOQ: 50 units
Delivery: 10 days
Price: $44.48
Description: Recessed ceiling light; six 3W Cree chips; 160 lumens; 2,700 or 3,400K color temperature; 50,000hr service life; CE, RoHS