Opto market to top US$63 billion by 2012

Oxford , October 2008

According to the newly published fourth edition of the 'Strategic Study of the Worldwide Semiconductor Optoelectronic Component Industry to 2012' the worldwide market for semiconductor optoelectronic components was estimated to be US$34.3 billion in 2007 and is forecast to grow by an annual average growth rate of 13% to over US$63 billion by 2012. Solar cells accounted for the largest share of the market in 2007 at 51% and although it will lose share in the period to 2012 it will still account for 47% of the market at US$29.5 billion. Geographically, Asia Pacific is forecast to account for approaching a third of the market by 2012.

Global Semiconductor Optoelectronics Components Market 2007

Source: The Worldwide Semiconductor Optoelectronics Industry to 2012, Reed Electronics Research

Other findings from the in-depth study include:

LEDs : LED-based backlighting for portable products is now a mature market with strong price erosion. To offset this, the main suppliers of LEDs are looking to expand into larger panel displays for TVs and computers. Solid state lighting is expected to be a key market driver although its full impact is not expected until the end of the forecast period.

Laser Diodes: Although new applications are emerging, such as higher power diode lasers for industrial applications, the market will continue to be dominated by optical storage. The availability of the violet diode laser has opened up a number of new high-value markets such as instrumentation and printing. On a global basis violet lasers will increase its share of the laser diode market from 9% in 2007 to 26% in 2012 and show a CAGR of 47%.

Detectors: New types of detector components are being developed continually in part as manufacturers look to supply higher margin products. Examples include higher performance devices for Blu-Ray DVD and even shorter wavelength UV detectors which have much promise for applications such as counterfeit banknote detection and medical diagnostics.

Image Sensors: Through the period to 2012 charged couple device (CCD) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor ( CMOS ) image sensors are expected to remain complementary with the choice dependent on the application and vendor rather than the technology. The market is split between high volume, lower ASP products for volume applications in the communications, consumer and computer markets (with manufacturing primarily done in low-cost locations) and low volume, higher ASP sensors for applications such as machine vision and defence.

Solar Cells : Pricing pressure will continue to have a significant impact on the market in value terms throughout the period to 2012. The lack of subsidies in some countries for solar technology has limited market growth. Pessimistic forecasts suggest that once the subsidies are gone the market could stumble.

The fourth edition of “Optoelectronics - A Strategic Study of the Worldwide Semiconductor Optoelectronic Component Industry” is an independent market analysis and five-year forecast of the worldwide optoelectronics industry. The extensive and detailed report provides a breakdown of the market by product (LEDs, Diode Lasers, Detectors and Image Sensors, Solar Cells and other components including Optocouplers), application (Automotive, Computer, Consumer, Industrial, Military & Aerospace, Telecoms, Others) and geography (North America, Japan, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of World). For further information please contact anita.caird@rer.co.uk)

Reed Electronics Research (RER) specialises in providing international business information sources designed to assist senior management, marketing and business development personnel, industry watchers and analysts in keeping abreast of changes, developments and other factors affecting their business. RER is part of the global Reed Electronics Group a part Reed Business Information a leading provider of critical information and marketing solutions to business professionals and a member of Reed Elsevier.