Hot topics of the week: LED industry price increases continue, MicroLED and optical communications accelerate breakthroughs

This week, in the LED industry, costs are rising, and many companies have begun to increase prices; on the other hand, technologies such as Mini/Micro LED, Micro OLED and optical communications continue to accelerate, from capacity construction to application implementation, and AI demand is also driving the development of related industries.

[Hot News]

The LED industry chain has collectively increased prices, and 9 companies including Zhongqi Optoelectronics and Colorlight have adjusted prices

Recently, many companies in the LED industry chain have announced price increases, covering displays, control systems, driver ICs and other links. Among them, Zhongqi Optoelectronics, Colorlight and other companies have successively raised product prices due to rising PCB, IC and wafer costs, with increases ranging from 5% to 80%, and some have driven IC companies to increase by more than 30%. Overall, demand for upstream raw materials and AI squeezes production capacity, pushing the industrial chain into a new cost transmission cycle.

LED display company Baolun shares rush for IPO

On May 13, Baolun's IPO was accepted by the Shanghai Stock Exchange and plans to raise 1.583 billion yuan for projects such as R&D center upgrades, production capacity expansion, and intelligent manufacturing transformation. With the company's audio, visual, and television integrated systems as its core, the LED display business contributes approximately 12.5% ​​of revenue, and its products cover various applications such as small spacing, COB, and transparent screens.

TCL Electronics adjusts the terms of its TV business cooperation with Sony, setting an upper limit of 100 billion yen

Recently, TCL Electronics revised its home entertainment business cooperation agreement with Sony and set the upper limit of the total exercise price of three batches of put options at 100 billion yen (approximately HK$4.9 billion) to reduce financial risks and stabilize cash flow. At the same time, the controlling shareholder T.C.L. Industrial provides a guarantee for the balance. This joint venture still maintains TCL Electronics' 51% holding structure and promotes the integration of global production and sales of Sony's TV business.

Hikvision and Haijia Group reached strategic cooperation in LED display

On May 12, Hikvision and Haijia Group signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement. The two parties will work together in Mini/Micro LED display, control system, supply chain and engineering services. The cooperation covers product technical support, upstream component supply, channel and government-enterprise market expansion, and localized service system construction, promoting the integration and high-quality development of the LED display industry chain.

[Project Progress]

Zhaochi Nanchang PCB base equipment comes on site, LED and optical communication dual lines speed up

Recently, Zhaochi Nanchang PCB production base has entered the equipment installation stage, and core equipment has come into the site one after another. The project has shifted from engineering construction to debugging and production, focusing on high-end PCB manufacturing to support AI computing power needs. At the same time, the company accelerated the expansion of Mini COB display module production and optical communication business layout, and 400G/800G optical modules entered the small batch stage.

Kopin builds Micro OLED mass production line in the United States, increasing focus on national defense and AI optical interconnection

Kopin, an American microdisplay company, announced the construction of a full-size Micro OLED mass production line at its Westboro headquarters, introducing advanced OLED deposition and automation equipment, and shifting from a fabless model to self-built manufacturing to meet the U.S. defense demand for localized displays. At the same time, the company expanded its AI data center optical interconnection, AR and thermal imaging businesses, cooperated with Fabric.AI to obtain US$15 million in orders and equity, and continued to obtain military industry contracts such as drones and headsets.

Xita Technology Nanchong's 12-inch silicon-based OLED project progress has exceeded 60%

Recently, Xita Technology Nanchong's 12-inch silicon-based OLED micro display project construction progress has exceeded 60%, and it is planned to be completed within the year and mass production in 2027. The project will introduce AI quality inspection and digital twin technology, with a planned monthly production capacity of 6,000 wafers. At the same time, the company has deployed IC R&D centers and module projects in Meishan to further improve the entire Micro OLED industry chain from chips to complete machines.

Bohuite won the bid for BOE Crystal Core Mini/Micro LED production expansion equipment project

On May 11, Bohuite announced that it had won the bid for equipment orders for BOE’s Zhuhai Crystal Core Mini/Micro LED COB expansion project, covering key equipment such as automated transmission systems, vacuum laminating machines and crystal expansion machines, which are used to improve lamination accuracy, crystal expansion control and production line automation levels. The total investment in BOE's crystal chip project is approximately 1 billion yuan, with a planned monthly COB production capacity of over 10,000 square meters.

[Optical Communication]

Credo officially promotes Micro LED optical interconnection solution

Recently, Credo Technology officially promoted Micro LED optical interconnection solution ZeroFlap, which achieves high-bandwidth and low-power data transmission through Micro LED arrays and wide parallel channels, and supports link monitoring and seamless failover. This solution can be used for short-distance high-speed interconnection of AI data centers, and has the advantages of higher energy efficiency and smaller size.

[Capital News]

Zhuzhou Keneng Science and Technology Innovation Board IPO was accepted to develop the Mini/Micro LED material chain

On May 11, the Zhuzhou Keneng Science and Technology Innovation Board IPO was accepted and plans to raise 560 million yuan, focusing on high-purity semiconductor materials and recycling projects and the construction of R&D centers. The company develops key materials such as high-purity gallium, indium and arsenic, among which gallium arsenide can be used in Mini/Micro LED, communications, AI and other fields.

Rokid received strategic investment from Micro LED related equipment factory

Recently, Jingzhida announced its strategic investment in Rokid. The two parties will cooperate around the AI ​​glasses ecosystem, combining Rokid's layout in AI glasses terminal scenarios and Jingzhida's technical capabilities in the field of Micro LED key process inspection. In addition, Rokid has recently received strategic investment from Fibocom, Awinic Electronics, Connect Optical, Highpower Technology and other companies to jointly promote the development of AI glasses business.

Yunyinggu passed the Hong Kong stock market hearing and increased its investment in Micro LED and OLED driver chips

On May 10, Yunyinggu Technology updated the hearing information and officially passed the Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing hearing. It plans to raise funds for the research and development of AMOLED TDDI chips and Micro OLED/Micro LED driver backplanes, and expand AR/VR display applications. The company focuses on display driver chips and IP licensing business and has completed multiple rounds of financing.

[Product Technology Progress]

Fuguang Xiaoxiang Light Display released new Micro LED car projection products

On May 14, Xiaoxiang Light Display, a subsidiary of Fuguang Co., Ltd., released two Micro LED car projection lamps, which use self-developed optical paths and ultra-miniature optical-mechanical technology to achieve miniaturization and dynamic projection capabilities, support personalized welcome and pixel-level light control, and meet automotive-grade reliability. The product is priced at 99 yuan and 149 yuan, which is more than 50% lower than similar products.

Huawei releases smart screen S7, upgraded to Super Mini LED, priced from 3,999 yuan

On May 10, Huawei released the smart screen S7 series, available in five sizes from 55 to 98 inches, with prices starting at 3,999 yuan. The product is equipped with Super Mini LED backlight and 4K 300Hz high brush, equipped with Honghu chip and Hongmeng AI function. At the same time, Huawei’s previously launched Vision Smart Screen 6 and 6 SE also use Super Mini LED technology.

Shijue Guangxu creates an LED immersive display system for the "Nantianmen Project"

On May 11, the Shanghai 288 Base of the "Nantianmen Project" was launched to create the first aviation science fiction IP immersive park in China. Shijue Guangxu participated in the construction of the display system and deployed the Hera series LED large screen and intelligent audio-visual system in the future aerospace hangar. The total area is nearly 100 square meters, the point spacing is 1.8–2.0mm, and it supports high-stable magnetic structure and rapid maintenance.

Japanese universities develop high-brightness red LEDs

Recently, research by Osaka University and Ritsumeikan University in Japan found that growing europium-doped gallium nitride (Eu-GaN) on a semipolar crystal surface can significantly improve the luminous efficiency of red light, with the brightness increasing by more than 3.6 times compared with traditional polar surfaces. Oxygen promotes the formation of high-efficiency light-emitting centers, allowing the device to maintain stable and high-brightness output under different powers, providing new materials and process paths for high-color purity red LEDs and Micro LED full-color displays. (Compiled by LEDinside)

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