Taiwan LED chipmaker Epistar has recently developed agreements with Zhejiang Yonkon Group Co., Ltd. and NVC Lighting Technology Corp. in mainland China.
Under the agreement, the company’s deal with Zhejiang Yonkon will primarily stress cooperation on the development of lighting LEDs, in addition to Yonkon’s pledge to buy Epistar chips. Details of its cooperation with NVC are being discussed.
It estimated the two contracts would help boost the chipmaker’s market share in the mainland to 30% in 2012 from 20% in 2011.
Epistar Chairman B.J. Lee pointed out that,opposite to its past emphasis on working with LED module makers, the company is now pursing cooperation with lighting manufacturers in the mainland. Its new strategy stresses cooperation with customers on product design and development, in addition to introducing LED packagers and module makers to them if they do not have in-house packaging and module facilities.
According to Epistar executives, lighting chips will account for 30% of the company’s total sales next year, up from this year’s 20-25%.
In addition, Epistar has entered into alliance with packagers Everlight and Lite-On Technology as well as module makers Delta Electronics and Nan Ya Photonics to strengthen competitiveness in lighting market.