7 March 2011

Osram Opto expands LED chip making in Malaysia and Germany to 6” wafers

LED maker Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH of Regensburg, Germany says that it is to increase its production output significantly by converting its two indium gallium nitride (InGaN)-based LED chip manufacturing facilities to 6-inch (150mm) wafers while expanding both plants.

Picture: Larger chip surface boosts capacity.

A new production building is currently under construction at the firm’s site in in Penang, Malaysia, while in Regensburg the available space is being reallocated. The two facilities will each be converting to the new manufacturing technology, introducing 6-inch wafers to replace the current 4-inch wafers. These measures are expected to almost double the firm’s chip production capacity for white LEDs by the end of 2012.

The Penang chip plant, which opened nearly two years ago, has been earmarked for further expansion and conversion to 6-inch wafers. Its total manufacturing area will be increased to about 25,000m2 in 2012, creating about 400 extra jobs. At the Regensburg plant, the available area will be reallocated and InGaN LED chip production will be converted step by step from 4-inch to 6-inch wafers from as early as this summer.

The capacity expansion will primarily affect InGaN chips employing thin-film and UX:3 technology, which are required in the production of white LEDs. These will be manufactured on 6-inch wafers from the outset and not on wafers of 4-inch diameter.

Osram Opto reckons that the expansion will put it on track to cash in on the growth potential of international LED markets, as well as securing its international market position. The company was ranked by market research firm Strategies Unlimited as the third biggest HB-LED maker by revenue in 2010.

Picture: New production areas being created at Osram Opto’s site in Penang.

“By expanding our capacities for high-performance InGaN chips, we are consistently consolidating our market position,” says CEO Aldo Kamper. “The LED market harbors great growth potential in many different fields of application, and we intend to continue harnessing this,” he adds.

See related items:

Osram inaugurates its first LED chip fab in Asia

Tags: Osram LEDs InGaN

Visit: www.osram-os.com

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