Highlights this week:

Typhoon Dujuan that struck Taiwan earlier this week ended up extending the island’s Moon Festival for an extra day, so apologies on behalf of the editorial team for the delayed website updates this week.

Waning growth in the sapphire substrate market is beginning to impact certain sapphire manufacturers. LEDinside latest reports show declined LED lighting demands triggered a 30% decline in the sapphire industry, leading to Tera Xtal Technology’s decision to cut 180 jobs.

Taiwanese LED manufacturer Epistar, which was in a similar situation last week, has seen a turn of events. The company announced it will be acquiring a 10% stake in Malaysian LED packager Dominant OptoTechnologies by spending US $14.95 million.

Both GE and Sensity Systems have partnered up with security specialists to integrate smart lighting with surveillance systems. Plessey has also acquired further GBP 30 million backing from Deutsche Bank for its LED expansion projects in Plymouth. For further details please see below.

Editor Recommendations

1. LEDinside：Weaker LED Demands Drives Down Sapphire Prices More than 30% YoY
2. Chinese LED Industry in Deep Waters, Only a Handful of LED Manufacturers to Remain
3. Large Vertical Farm in Singapore Selects Illumitex as LED Lighting Partner
4. HC Semitek Seals RMB 1.08 B Acquisition Deal with Sapphire Maker Crystaland
5. Major Taiwanese Sapphire Manufacturer Tera Xtal Technology Slashes Jobs
6. Samsung Electronics Opens New U.S. Semiconductor Headquarters in Silicon Valley
7. Plessey Wins GBP 30m Backing from Deutsche Bank for LED Production Expansion
8. Epistar Invests US$14.95M in Malaysian LED Package Company

What’s trending

• New York Rolls out Pilot LED Lamp Project to Monitor Air Quality at Nail Salons
• How Astronauts Might be Able to Grow Martian Potatoes with NASA Lighting Technology
• GLA Releases Position Statement on CRI

Government projects

• Indian State Government to Distribute 74,000 LED Lamps to Citizens

Industry News

1. Robert Yeh: Epistar is Still Everlight's Top LED Chip Supplier
2. LG Innotek Unveils New High Power LED Packages
3. Genetec and Sensity Systems Form Partnership to Develop Security Solutions Equipped with Lighting Sensor Network
4. Asahi Kasei Micro Devices Chooses Veeco MBE Technology For IR Sensor Production
5. DuPont Displays Opens New OLED Material Manufacturing Site
6. Global Tech LED Files Bulb Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Hilmuz and Others
7. China Exported LED Lighting Totaled US $355 M to India from January to August
8. GE Lighting and ShotSpotter Sign MOU to Bring Gunshot Detection to Luminaires
9. Renewable Energy and Power Finishes LED Lighting Trial at Important Health-Care Organization
10. Chinese Companies Putting Pressure on Korean Manufacturers as OLED TV Market Blossoms
11. Luxtera Assigns Senior Executives Brad Byk and Kelly Perez
12. Tridonic Signs Licence Agreement with Medion AG for White LEDs Application
13. MLS Secures LED Package Deal Worth over US $1M in India

New Products

1. Panasonic Develops 4.5W High Power Continuous Blue Violet Semiconductor Laser
2. Osram Adds Filament LED Bulbs and Other Products to Lamp Portfolio
3. Osram Launches Brightness Improved LED Chips for Stage Spotlight Application
4. TOGGLED® Adds Halco Lighting Technologies® to its Growing Base of LED Lighting Patent Licensees
5. Tridonic Unveils Tunable White LED Area Luminaires for Indoor Applications
6. Osram Adds Two LED Luminaires to Its Lightify Control Range
7. WAC Lighting's New LED Wall Sconce Offers Flexible Illuminating Arrangement
8. Toshiba Introduces New CMOS Image Sensor for Automotive Mitigates LED Flicker

Innovative Applications

• Designer Integrates Sex Science in LED Badge Design at Burning Man this Year

Lighting Projects

1. Canadian Heritage Storytelling Lights Wow Spectators
2. Atlanta-based AEE Headquarters Illuminated with LED lights from Eaton
3. Several UNESCO World Heritage Sites Illuminated by Night of Heritage Light
4. Iconic Rock Band Rush’s Tour Lit by Philips' LED Wash Lights
5. Leviton Introduces New LED Lighting for Hazardous Area Illumination