One more day to go before the New Years, so how did the industry fare in 2016? LEDinside organized a couple of articles reviewing some top trends in technology advancements and international mergers. A couple trends that are becoming more evident over the past year is different research institutes searching for more energy efficient and lower cost materials, while international mergers between Western technology companies and Chinese investors are under more government scrutiny. We expect protectionism measures to become increasingly common in the next few years, especially under new U.S. President Donald Trump’s government.

Samsung’s growing interest in QD technology is becoming more evident, the company confirmed in late November it acquired QD Vision for US $700 million, and is ready to showcase its new “metal coating” QD TV at CES 2017. The new technology is said to substantially increase color performance in traditional LCD TVs. New reports from Korea this week point towards Samsung preparing to form a QD alliance to counteract LG Display’s OLED alliance.

After Grand Chip Investment (GPI) failed acquisition of Aixtron, the company took a particularly bad hit financially as investors lost confidence. Last month CFIUS blocked the company’s sale over U.S. national security concerns, even an appeal to U.S. President Barack Obama was unable to change the outcome. The company recently decided to delist from American Depositary Shares from NASDAQ and deregister from SEC. Perhaps a move to bypass U.S. regulatory agencies, said a LEDinside analyst.

This wraps up our last weekly report for 2016. We will see you all next year.

Editor recommendations

1. LED Technology Breakthroughs in 2016
2. Goodbye Bitter 2016: Review of Major Trends of the Year (Part 1)
3. Samsung to Form QD TV Alliance
4. LeEco Acquisition of Vizio Still Waiting for Green Light from Chinese Authorities
5. NVC Lighting Signs Partnership Agreement with CAS Smart City
6. Taiwanese LED Manufacturer GPI Transitions into CSP LEDs for Automotive Lighting
7. SemiLEDs Files Form 8-K for Changing Accounting Firm to BF Borgers
8. AIXTRON to Voluntarily Delist American Depositary Shares from NASDAQ and Deregister from SEC
9. Finance Committe Meet to Discuss Controversial Jalandhar LED Streetlight Installations in India

Industry news

1. Oriental Edison Lighting Extends LED Bulb Range
2. Honglizhihui Forecasts Net Profit for 2016 Dropped by 40%
3. HyLite LED Lighting Launches New Product Line
4. Vertical Farm and Greenhouse Herb Production Illuminated with LED Lights
5. Optic Lens Manufacturer LightPath Technologies Acquires ISP Optics Corporation to Expand Global Visible and IR Solutions
6. LED Products Become Popular in Denmark

New products

1. Zumtobel Launches Capsule Collection LED Luminaires
2. MaxLite LED Fixtures with Enlighted Controls Approved by DLC
3. SYLVANIA Smart Home Launches Apple HomeKit Integrated Hub Free Bulb
4. Amerlux Adds Lens for LED Downlight Families
5. BenQ Releases Ultra Short Throw Projection LED Projector
6. Samsung Applies Metal Coating to Boost QLED TV Color Performance
7. Laster Tech Enters High Class Automotive LED Lamp Market
8. TILS 2017: KOPA GLOBAL PTY LTD
9. TILS 2017: Beautiful Light Technology Corporation

Lighting projects

1. Kula Lumpur Pavilion Installs Large Energy Saving Outdoor SMD LED Display
2. Revolux Donates LED Solutions for Food Pantry in Toyota in New Orleans
3. Lighting Science Recalls Times Square Ball Redesign Project
4. Storm Electronic Music Festival Lighting Inspired by Qi in Chinese Medicine
5. Bradford City Center Illuminated with Colorful RGB LED Lights