Bright LED's BW-5630HW-PW-QXX model is a 5630 pure-white SMD LED with a yellow diffused lens.

Suppliers highlight capability for units in slimmer packaging for backlighting and lighting uses.

China makers of SMD LEDs continue to develop smaller configurations to broaden their selections and boost penetration of the backlighting and lighting markets. They are releasing more 0402 units, anticipating the type will dominate supply in the next one or two years. Manufacturers such as Kehong Opto Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd will shift focus to this size, targeting backlighting and illumination applications. The supplier offers mainly 3528, 5050 and 0603 models. At present, 0402 releases constitute about 30 percent of local output.

Companies eyeing the robust TV sector emphasize products in slimmer packaging. Everlight has introduced 0.5x0.5mm RGB LEDs for Ultra HD TVs. It has been pursuing miniaturization in the past three years, turning out 1010 to 0808 and then 0505 kinds for the TV market. Other makers currently highlight 7020 types, which reduce costs by as much as 15 percent as they require fewer materials. Midsize and large players can offer them, and many will increase production based on orders. Shenzhen XHY has such 7x2x0.8mm models with 0.5W rated power, 45 to 60 lumens and 120-degree viewing angle. The diodes come in white, and warm, pure and cool versions. Suppliers anticipate demand in this sector will remain on the upswing, especially with the release of larger-screen TVs needing more LEDs. More than 90 percent of TVs shipped in 2013 already adopt diode-based backlighting, according to GG-LED.

In addition, China makers are working to elevate product performance further while catering to custom requirements. Major local player APT ensures its 3535 and 3014 SMD LEDs comply with the LM-80 standard. The former kind delivers 100.8 and 100.7 percent C test temperatures. The 3014 units have 100.7 and 98.6 percent in 55 and 105 C. Both variants exhibit high stability and nearly zero luminous decay after 6,000 hours of operation. They suit lighting and backlighting uses.

Besides these product efforts, makers such as Anhui Zerun Optoelectronic Co. Ltd are boosting SMD LED output. The supplier anticipates the category’s ratio will reach 40 to 50 percent of yield in the next one or two years from 30 percent at present.

Overall, the line’s share of the country’s total diode production is expected to surpass 50 percent by year-end from 45 percent in 2012, according to GG-LED.

Helping spur expansion initiatives is the domestic LED industry. The application lighting sector is forecast to surge by 63 percent this year, according to LEDinside. This translates to a 1.3 billion-luminaire captive market for SMD diode companies. The backlighting segment, meanwhile, continues to grow with sales projected to climb by 40 percent in the months ahead.

There are up to 500 suppliers of SMD LEDs in mainland China, of which more than 70 percent are homegrown operations. The key players include Foshan Nationstar, Guangdong Hongli, Shenzhen Refond and Jiangsu Wenrun. The rest of the makers have investment from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Guangdong province is the largest production hub in the mainland, gathering over two-thirds of the manufacturing pool. The cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou and Foshan are the major locations. Other enterprises are found in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. Most companies offer related lines such as high-power diodes and LED lighting.

Top-, sideview types

Mainland makers offer top- and sideview diodes in white, warm and pure white, and RGB. The first kind comes primarily in 3528, 5050, 3014, 2835, 3020, 5630 and 5730, and is adopted in lighting and backlighting applications. Sideview LEDs, which are mostly for the latter use, include 010, 020, 335 and 215 units. At present, 3528 and 5050 releases continue to dominate yield, while the share of 3014 and 2835 variants is on the rise. All products follow RoHS.

The key components and materials used in SMD LED manufacture include chips, lenses, adhesive, wires and PCBs. Mainland suppliers usually source the first from Taiwan, Japan and US providers such as Chi Mei, Opto Tech, Genesis Photonics and SemiLEDs. They also turn to foreign companies for adhesives.

Most makers expect the 5 to 10 percent downward trend in prices to continue in the months ahead owing to fierce competition.

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Product gallery

Anhui Zerun Optoelectronic Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: ZR-PA2835WW
MOQ: 2,000 units
Delivery: 3 days
Description: 2835; white; 2,800 to 3,200K color temperature; 70 to 80 CRI; 0.06W rated power; 120-degree viewing angle

Bright LED Electronics Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: BW-5630HW-PW-QXX
MOQ: 10,000 units
Delivery: 20 days
Description: 5630; pure white; yellow diffused lens; for torch-, headlights, architectural lighting; RoHS

Kehong Opto Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: KHS0603WC
MOQ: Negotiable
Delivery: 10 days
Description: 0603; 50 to 100mcd luminous intensity; 120-degree viewing angle; 2.8 to 3.2V forward voltage; 5µA reverse current; -30 to 85 C operating temperature

Shenzhen Starsealand Optoelectronics Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: XL2835NRC730
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 5 days
Description: 3528; 730 to 740nm wavelength; 120-degree viewing angle; 0.5W rated power; 2 to 2.4V rated voltage; 150mA operating current