LED - will these light up the portfolio?

Some good market research from Mintel RE lighting. Notice that Philips is the king of LEDs, however LED International won't be competing with that. I think it is a more bespoke manufacturer. There is soom for many players in this fast growing market and even if LED International becomes a medium sized enterprise it will mean an absolute bonanza for shareholders.

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Domestic Lighting - UK - May 2006

New Product Trends


Luminaires

In the luminaires segment examples of NPD are focused on particular design themes such as the current emphasis on the ‘retro’ look, which helps to stimulate consumer interest in lighting vis-ŕ-vis other consumer durables. Recently, ultra-modern industrial and space-age design themes such as the ‘Sputnik’ or ‘Spike’ lights in ceiling fittings, wall lights and table fittings have been developed at higher price points.


Lamps/tubes

Technology-led innovation is a key driver of the lamps/tubes market, in turn reflecting the huge R&D capacity of major conglomerates such as Philips and GE Lighting, ensuring their status as global suppliers of domestic lighting.

Some examples of innovation in the segment are as follows:

? Halogená offers consumers in the US whiter light and a lifetime about three times longer than standard incandescent lamps; it comes with the added benefit of a two-year guarantee.
? The ALTO T8 fluorescent lamp, which contains the least mercury of all comparable lamps on the US market while maintaining its superior performance, is being installed in all newly constructed Wal-Mart stores in the US.
? Ecotone Ambiance, a compact, energy-saving lamp on the European consumer market, has the same shape and gives the same natural soft light as the Philips Softone.
? MASTERColour CDM providing dramatic highlighting effects in product displays and windows.
? The CLEO Natural range of tanning lamps which apply the latest scientific and medical knowledge in providing a sensible, effective tan in a soft and gentle way.
? Carpe Diem luminaires for a dynamic light ambience recreating the natural rhythm of daylight to enhance the atmosphere in a shop or office.
? Metronomis outdoor luminaires reflect a modern vision of architectural urban lighting, in which leading-edge technology is combined with a clear and elegant design.
? The TL5 office lighting system, consisting of the T5 small-diameter (16mm) fluorescent lamp along with efficient TL5 fixtures incorporating sophisticated lighting controls, provides high-quality lighting and minimises energy demands.
? Latest versions of the UHP (Ultra High Power) lamp: currently the leading product in the market for digital data projection in beamers connected to PCs and for rear projection TVs.
? UV light solutions for producing purer, clearer water in a safe and economical manner.
? Electronic ballasts for TL5 and PL-T/C lamp circuits (eg miniature HF-Matchbox), and electronic gear for operating HID lamps.
? Xenon automotive lamps, which give more than twice as much light as conventional halogen lamps while using only half the energy; VisionPlus lamps, which increase road safety by giving 50% more light on the road, a 10-20 meter longer beam and better reflections from roads and signs.
? LEDline: a new concept to enhance the texture of walls with coloured LEDs.

Philips has a major stake in the field of LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which it is now applying to an increasing range of applications. These include automotive, high-brightness signallings, contour lighting and signs, outdoor illumination and white LEDs for both indoor and outdoor. Lumileds is the global market leader in the area of high-power LEDs with its Luxeon product family in the colours red, green, blue and white.

LEDs are likely to become a major aspirational product as they are picked up by early adopters and they should help to add value to the domestic lighting market as consumers are prepared to pay more for new value added technology.


Futurology

Looking further ahead, the future is likely to be OLED technology. In 2004, Philips announced production of a flexible display using organic polymers while companies such as Cambridge Display use such polymers to manufacture OLEDs.


Ground breaking technology

In mid April 2006, it was reported that US scientists had invented a light source that could revolutionise the global domestic lighting market for luminaires and lamps. The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) emits a brilliant white light when connected to an electricity supply, which is more akin to natural daylight than tungsten bulbs. The USP of OLEDs is that they do not heat up like tungsten bulbs, making them far more energy-efficient and durable. The product exploits the properties of carbon-based polymers to produce white lights, which are already found on some mobile phone displays and MP3 players.


The way forward

To create the new material, scientists built up ultra-thin layers of plastic coated with green, red and blue dyes. When a current passes through them they produce white light. Previous attempts to produce OLEDs had failed because traditional phosphorescent blue dyes are very short-lived. The new polymer uses a fluorescent blue material, which is more durable and energy-efficient. According to researchers at the University of California, the material could be 100% energy efficient meaning it could be capable of converting all the electricity to light. The new material could be printed onto glass or plastic and so, in theory, could create large expanses of light relatively cheaply. It was reported in mid April 2006 that scientists still need to address a way to seal the OLEDs from moisture, which can contaminate the material. The expectation is that once this barrier is resolved, the new polymer could become the product of choice for stylish environmental lighting for industrial, retail and domestic use in developed countries worldwide.