Major LED EPI-wafer and chip manufacturer Epistar’s revenue was up 30 percent to NT $ 8.13 billion (US $270 million) during second quarter of 2014. Growing backlight and lighting demands have benefited the company, but financial results for first half of 2014 might still be negative, due to huge losses incurred during first quarter, according to a Money DJ report. Third quarter 2014 financial results will be cushioned by the arrival of the peak season, and is estimated to assist the company in maintaining high profits throughout the season. 

To expand its presence in the international market, Leyard Optoelectronic (Leyard) recently announced scaling up financing two subsidiaries to speed up business developments and management.

Chinese PV manufacturer EGing Photovoltaic Technology (EGing PV) recently announced subsidiary Changzhou EGing PV’s sapphire ingot growth technology has matured.

Taiwanese LED lighting manufacturer Lite-On Technology has joined the ranks of two other Taiwanese LED manufacturers’ in selling its 3,900 shares in Epistar, according to a UDN report.

Osram stated in its recent 3Q14 financial earnings press release intentions of implementing various additional measures to further improve the competitiveness of its operating units. The associated capacity adjustments of about 7,800 positions worldwide over the next three fiscal years. A Reuter’s report noted 1,700 positions in Germany would be affected, while the remaining 6,100 job cuts will be directed towards other global jobs. Depending on the implementation speed of the measures and the restructuring costs’ effect on earnings, the reported EBITA margin could be below the targeted 8 percent EBITA margin in the fiscal year 2015. Below is Osram's financial report for 3Q14.

The Ayshire Council located in Scotland, UK has recently approved a streetlight retrofit plan budget of £4.25 million (US $7.20 million) to replace the 13,500 streetlights in North Ayshire to LED within two years, according to an Irvine Times report.

Philips is recalling about 7,500 units of Lightolier Glass Accessory (AF4SY) due to shatter hazards that may cause injury to consumers.

North American lighting leader OSRAM SYLVANIA announced an expanded LED product portfolio that will appear in Lowe's stores and includes seven new OSRAM and SYLVANIA ULTRA brand A-line LED products, the most commonly used type of light bulbs in households.

AIXTRON, a leading provider of deposition equipment to the semiconductor industry, today announced revenues of EUR 46.2 million (US $62.06 million) for the second quarter of 2014, 5 percent higher sequentially (Q1/2014: EUR 43.9 million) and 2 percent higher compared to one year ago (Q2/2013: EUR 45.3 million). Q2/2014 EBIT at EUR -10.6 million (Q2/2013; EUR -9.8 million) and net result at EUR -11.6 million (Q2/2013: EUR -11.8 million) were both also broadly unchanged year-on-year.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s CALiPER program has released an Application Summary Report that focuses on the photometric performance of 27 LED MR16 lamps. Entitled Application Summary Report 22: LED MR16 Lamps, it describes initial performance based on light output, efficacy, distribution, color quality, electrical characteristics, and form factor, with comparisons to a selection of benchmark halogen MR16s and ENERGY STAR® qualification thresholds.

cintelliq limited is pleased to announce the release of their latest market report “OLED Lighting: Products, prices, capacity costs and forecasts 2014 - 2023”. According to cintelliq OLED lighting is expected to become a strong competitor to LED lighting by 2016 one year earlier than previously thought. OLED lighting may have had a gentle start but it is now firmly gaining market traction as an increasing number of OLED panels and luminaires reach the market – with the efficacy and lifetimes of current OLED panels at a performance level to last more than ten years under normal operating conditions they are rapidly becoming an alternative to LED lighting. 

LG CNS, a subsidiary of LG, has recently developed a smart LED lighting solution particularly for factory facility applications, according to a report from The Korea Times.

Pueblo City Council, a city located in Colorado, U.S., is planning to acquire a loan of US $4.2 million in Certificates of Participation (COPs) to replace 8,725 high-pressure sodium streetlights with LED lights.

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) recently announced that James Schiro, Vice Chairman of its Supervisory Board and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of its Supervisory Board, will step down in order to undergo treatment after a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

The Indian arm of Lyte Master, a German LED Manufacturer, plans to invest INR 150 million (US $2.50 million) to establish a LED light factory in Chennai, India, according to a Business Standard report.

Dialight plc ("Dialight" or the "Group"), the UK-based leader in applied LED technology, announces its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2014. 

A research team in Taiwan is following in Google’s footsteps in launching an exclusive eyewear to detect early signs of diabetes. The device unlike Google’s contact lens announced in January 2014 is worn on top of glasses to detect whether a person has diabetes. It remains unclear as to whether the new diabetes detection eyewear from Taiwan will also pick up on Google’s lead of using LED indicator lights.

Seoul Semiconductor (SSC) recently filed a LED TV patent infringement lawsuit against Canadian consumer electronics manufacturer Curtis International in Florida Southern Court, U.S., according to numerous legal publications.

As part of its Household Electrification Program, the Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) has rolled out solar LED light installations in 375 Eastern Samar households, according to a report by ABS CBN news.

In his management report on 2013/14, CEO Ulrich Schumacher expressed his satisfaction with the development of business: In a year of major changes, the company showed sound development. Schumacher highlighted the dynamic growth in LED revenues, which now represent more than 30 percent of Group revenues, as well as the improved profitability of LED products and the lighting and components businesses.

A new portable LED device PD.iD can detect whether people’s drinks have been tampered with date-rape drugs.

Adorama, one of the world’s largest photography, video, imaging and electronics retailers, is now selling a brand new line of Flashpoint LED lightsdesigned for both camera and stand-mounted use. New photography and videography lights from Flashpoint include the SpeedLight Partner and the VariAngle light, as well as a collection of LED lights in both standard and bi-color options. New stand-mounted lights include various models of circular and panel lights. These Flashpoint LED lights are available exclusively in store at Adorama and online.

This week Philips latest 2Q14 report shows significant growth in its LED business with 43 percent growth in sales revenue. The company announced plans the following day of scaling up the overhaul of its traditional lighting business. Moving into government agencies related, the U.S. DOE plans to amend LED bulb test procedures, and has found in its latest CALiPER report outdoor LED lighting color temperatures are warming up. The Chinese government is also currently in talks about LED lighting standards, and has recently included LED drivers in consumer electronic certification process.

Everlight and Epistar’s combined market value in the next two years will overtake Nichia’s current ranking as world number one, a CNA report cited Everlight Chairman Robert Yeh saying.

The Guangdong Solid State Lighting Industry Innovation Center (GSC) recently announced plans of establishing a LED patent alliance in China during a talk at LED business patent management forum in Guangdong Province, according to a recent report from Chinese-media Intellectual Property News.

The sapphire industry has seen completely different outcomes among application markets this year, according to a recent United Daily News (UDN) report.

IDTechEx forecasts that the market for plastic and flexible OLED displays will rise to US $16 billion by 2020. This is one of the conclusions highlighted in their latest report OLED Display Forecasts 2014-2024: The Rise of Plastic and Flexible Displays. The new market research report includes detailed 10-year forecast by market segments, but also by display type (AMOLED, PMOLED, etc.). 

Luxonic has just completed a ten-month programme and a £0.75 million (US $1.27 million) investment in expanding its production facilities in Basingstoke to allow for increase in demand for LED luminaires.

GE announced today a research breakthrough that will vastly improve the color and crispness of images displayed on LED devices – everything from cell phones and tablets to televisions. Scientists at GE Lighting and GE Global Research developed a phosphor powder that, when packaged inside an LED, push the picture quality of LED electronics to new heights.

The upfront installation cost of retrofitting workplaces with LED bulbs is the main stumbling block holding back business owners from implementing the change. Although 81.9 percent of those surveyed* currently use or plan to use LED bulbs, high price is the main reason 50.9 percent of business owners delay implementation.