Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. (AGC) has announced it will start sales of a new glass-ceramic substrate that enables high-brightness and high-durability for LED lighting. This new glass-ceramic substrate will expand LED applications in the lighting and illumination sector, including 3-D televisions and automotive lighting, in which high-power output is increasingly in demand. Starting the volume production at a newly built factory in Taiwan, AGC reports that it plans to achieve a market share of 20% or more in the glass-ceramic substrate market for high-output LED lighting, which is expected to grow into a 100 billion yen (about US$1 billion) market by 2020.

LED applications are currently limited primarily to products with extremely small power output, such as liquid crystal display televisions and home interior lighting. In the future, however, the demand trend is expected to shift toward high-output LED applications that require high brightness, such as 3-D televisions, automotive headlights, and other automotive lighting and outdoor lighting and illumination. In addition to high brightness, high durability is also a prerequisite for high-output LED applications, as heat generation becomes greater as the power output increases.

For more information, phone (81) 3-3218-5260 or visit www.agc.co.jp.