Dow Electronic Materials has announced the formation of a new LED Technologies business segment to capture current and future demand for LEDs in the global solid state lighting (SSL) market.

For more than 35 years, Dow has been an important player in the SSL market as a leading supplier of metalorganic CVD precursors, so they understand the technology needs. Additionally, their long history with semiconductor materials, processing and methodologies allows them to meet the exacting needs of semiconductor companies – many of which are Dow’s existing customers – as they migrate into the SSL market.

In addition to the metalorganic CVD precursors, which are used to make the active light-emitting areas in LEDs, the new LED Technologies business will supply photoresists, related ancillaries for lithographic processing, and pads and slurries for CMP – all of which are used in the manufacture of LEDs.

There are many opportunities for materials suppliers, and they look forward to expanding their portfolio and capabilities – in some cases by leveraging Dow’s core materials and competencies – to make further inroads in the SSL market.

Endo Lighting Corporation, the leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of LED fixtures in Japan, has entered the U.S. market with the acquisition of ICON, International in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

The two companies share a commitment to innovation and proven performance in designing and bringing to market ground breaking LED lighting.

“This is a very good match,” said ICON President Michael Goeller. “Both Endo and ICON are customer focused. We share a dedication to creating light that enhances the ambiance of the surroundings while integrating technologies to maximize energy efficiency.”

Endo, a publicly traded company with 1600 employees and factories in Japan, China and Thailand, has developed the world’s widest range of LED products. Utilizing ICON’s market knowledge and management team, Endo will bring its products to the U.S. market.
“With its 2600 products, Endo has an LED solution for every single conventional light,” said Goeller. “This means ICON will now have the capacity to fit entire buildings with LED lighting systems, from schools, offices, retail and supermarkets – and to do it all beautifully, efficiently and economically.”

About ICON International
ICON designs, manufactures, installs, and maintains architectural lighting systems for custom fixtures, educational facilities, healthcare, large facilities, mass transit, offices, retail and supermarkets. The company’s tradition of quality, innovation and customer service coupled with an experienced and creative Research and Design team consistently set the standard for industry lighting solutions. The company was founded in 1947 and is located in Rhode Island. As of September 8, 2011, ICON International, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Endo Lighting Corp.

About Endo Lighting Corporation
Endo was founded in Osaka, Japan in 1967 as a manufacturer of original lighting fixtures. Japan’s first publicly listed company specializing in manufacturing lighting fixtures, Endo is currently the leading company in the architectural and commercial segment of the lighting market.

Reportedly, LG Electronics Inc. has teamed up with its component-making unit LG Innotek Co. to file a complaint with the U.S. trade watchdog last month seeking to block German auto parts maker Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. and Automotive Lighting from selling vehicle parts comprised of lighting products made by Osram AG, which the Korean companies allege infringe their patents.
 
An official  of the Korean company pointed out that  “LG already filed a complaint with the U.S. ITC (International Trade Commission) against Osram for violating our patents over LED technology in July, but we additionally filed complaints against two auto parts makers in late September.”

Osram's Korean unit was unavailable for comment.

In late September, LG separately filed a lawsuit with a South Korean court seeking a sales injunction for vehicles made by local branches of Germany's BMW AG and Audi AG for using Osram lighting products that the Korean company claims infringe its patents.
 

According to Lextar Electronics’ chairman, David Su, sales from lighting will account for 50% of its revenue next year, up from this year’s 40%,thanks to the strong demand in Japan and the company’s cooperation with an increasing number of multinational lighting markers.

In Su’s opinion, the LED lighting market has picked up as a whole especially after Japan devastating earthquake on March 11. Japan is currently the world’s biggest single market for LED lighting.

Su noted that recent slump in backlight demands has compelled Lextar to switch sales emphasis to lighting. Su felt that penetration of LED-lit TVs will reach only 40-50% this year as a result of weak demand. However, he estimated the penetration rate will rise to 60-70% next year thanks to improved technology and lumen.

OSRAM has signed an agreement with Townsend Ventures, LLC to increase its stake in Encelium Technologies from 15 percent to 100 percent. This move will enhance the company's position in two key global growth markets, LED based technologies and Light Management Systems (LMS). Encelium is an ideal complement to OSRAM and OSRAM SYLVANIA's General Lighting portfolio of energy-efficient lighting products and solutions.

Encelium, headquartered in Teaneck, N.J., is a leading software technology development company concentrating in advanced lighting control and energy management systems for commercial and industrial buildings. Encelium employs approximately 70 people in the United States and Canada.

Encelium's expertise and distribution network will extend the already deep OSRAM and OSRAM SYLVANIA reach into the energy efficiency business and position the company for further LED expansion. After closing, Encelium will become part of the OSRAM General Lighting – LMS organization.

“The acquisition of Encelium, and its cutting edge lighting control software for commercial buildings, is the next logical step for OSRAM in becoming one of the leading LED lighting solutions providers,” said Klaus-Gunter Vennemann, CEO of General Lighting at OSRAM. “Today lighting is responsible for 20 percent of electrical energy consumption globally. In the US it accounts for more than 30 percent of the commercial building's electrical energy consumption. With an ever-increasing demand for improved energy efficiency of commercial buildings, this acquisition enables us to offer smart LMS options to our customers worldwide that provide the right light, in the right amount, at the right place, at the right time.”

LMS is a key growth market as lighting controls support the transition of standard lighting products to networked, intelligent and value-added solutions. According to a recent McKinsey study, the current global market volume for lighting systems control components is roughly estimated at 2 billion Euros. This is expected to double by 2016 and triple by 2020.

“OSRAM leadership in LED lighting solutions, from modules, luminaires and controls, to installation and maintenance services, coupled with Encelium's software technology capabilities, supports an aggressive growth strategy and further penetration into both existing and new markets,” said Anthony Marano, Chief Executive Officer of Encelium.

LMS growth is largely a result of its energy saving capabilities and quality of life improvements. In instances, solutions combining highly efficient lighting products with advanced LMS structures yield energy savings up to 80 percent. In addition to energy and environmental benefits, Light Management Systems deliver quality of light that shapes the quality of life. With new ways of dimming, color control and mood enhancing lighting, the development of dynamic light possibilities are endless.

Following a period of consultation with their members both the Lighting Association and Lighting Industry Federation held Extraordinary General Meetings on September 29th where members of both organisations voted to proceed with the merger of the two organisations.

It is expected that the new organisation, to be known as The Lighting Industry Association will be incorporated early in 2012.

Quotes from the Associations Presidents
“LIF members believe  that the merging of operations of  LIF and LA into one new expanded Association will be  beneficial to  the Members and the market generally, both in terms of better representation of the Industry and the provision of services to members, during a period of rapid technological change for the industry.”
Rune Marki, LIF President (OSRAM Lighting)

“A great deal of work has gone into the proposal to merge during the course of this year and I am delighted that the members have voted in favour. A single stronger Association will better equip the whole industry for the challenges that we are facing in a rapidly changing business environment.”
Jonathan Lucas, LA President (Elstead Lighting)

There will be a new addition to the executive team ofOSRAM Opto Semiconductors as of October 1, 2011. Born in Aachen, Germany, Frank Tillner (51) will be succeeding the previous Chief Operating Officer, Elke Eckstein, at the headquarters in Regensburg and taking the responsibility for the chip and LED production plants in Regensburg, Germany, and Penang, Malaysia. Frank Tillner has many years of experience in semiconductor processes and production to commend him. He was last employed as Senior Vice President at Conergy AG.

“Our company has found the ideal candidate for the post of COO in Frank Tillner. With his long-standing experience in the sector, he not only has an immense specialist knowledge but also the management expertise required to meet the demands of the various processes at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, thus fulfilling all the prerequisites for this key position,” said Aldo Kamper, CEO of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, about the new appointment.

Tillner’s career kicked off in the semiconductor sector some 26 years ago. Following his studies in physics engineering, his first post was with Siemens AG, where he worked as a process engineer for lithography in the Semiconductor Memories division. In the course of his career, Tillner held various different positions at the company, including six years in Essonnes, France. He also worked with Texas Instruments GmbH, Infineon Technologies AG and Qimonda AG. He soon had a chance to demonstrate his professional expertise and his excellent leadership skills in executive posts – be it as Chief Operating Officer for the Secure Mobile Solutions Group of Infineon AG, as Senior Vice President Production & Purchasing at Qimonda AG or as Senior Vice President Solar Components & Global Large Projects at Conergy AG. Thanks to his expertise in the fields of product and technological development, marketing, logistics, quality and finances, along with his worldwide responsibility for production plants, Tillner offers a vast wealth of experience and a holistic view of people and structures.

CV Frank Tillner:

51 years, born in Setterich near Aachen, Germany
Married, 3 children
1981 – 1985    Cologne University of Applied Sciences, study of Physics Engineering
1985 – 1989    Siemens AG, Munich, process engineer, lithography, Semiconductor Memories division
1989 – 1991    Texas Instruments GmbH, Freising, Germany, process engineer, lithography for CMOS and BICMOS logic processes
1992 – 1995    Siemens AG, Essonnes, France, Senior Manager, lithography in a joint venture with IBM
1995 – 1997    Siemens AG, Essonnes, France, Director of the Planning Department in a joint venture with IBM
1997 – 2000    Infineon Technologies AG/Siemens AG, Munich, Vice President, program management of the standard DRAM memory
2000 – 2003    Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Vice President & General Manager Microcontroller for automotive and industrial sectors
2003 – 2004    Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Chief Operating Officer of the Secure Mobile Solutions Group of Infineon AG
2004 – 2006    Infineon/Qimonda, Managing Director of Flash GmbH & Co. KG owned by the Qimonda AG / Infineon Speicher Group, Dresden, Germany
2006 – 2009    Qimonda AG, Munich, Senior Vice President Production and Purchasing at Qimonda AG
2009 – 2010    Conergy AG, Hamburg, Germany, Vice President Large Global Projects for Solar Projects
2010 – today:    Conergy AG, Hamburg, Germany, Senior Vice President Solar Components & Global Large Projects
From 10.1.2011 COO at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH