As previously communicated, Philips continues to simultaneously prepare for an initial public offering (IPO) or a private sale of Philips Lighting. With equity markets’ sentiment improving compared to the first couple of months of the year, an IPO increasingly appears a more likely outcome, subject to further market developments and other relevant circumstances.

The rapid growth of Southeast Asia market has always been attractive to investors while local exhibitions create collaboration and partnership opportunities for foreign manufacturers taping into the market. This year, Energy efficient technologies were added to the LED Expo Thailand 2016 that took place from April 19-22, 2016 at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, including solar power, energy efficient products. Meanwhile, LED and lighting related exhibitions found exhibitors from southeast Asia, including Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan.

Taiwanese LED manufacturer Genesis Photonics Inc. (GPI) has been developing flip chip LEDs for a long time, since 2015 the company released its flip chip integrated high power light source solution last year at Taipei AMPA 2015, which received positive feedback from the industry. In 2016, the company launched an innovative CSP components at LIGHTING JAPAN 2016 that are thinner with higher lumen per watt, enabling ultra- high efficacy of (>200 lm/W), aiming for supplying portable electronics backlights and automotive light source market (TS16949 certified) that requires high reliability.

LED manufacturers cost control pressure for has not eased  as TV retail prices continue to drop. Low priced direct- type LED TVs are projected to become mainstream in 2014. LED manufacturers also plan continual release of low-cost solutions. Taiwanese manufacturers are optimistic about flip chip products ability to expand beam angle and conduct higher voltage electric currents, with Taiwanese manufacturers such as Epistar and Forepi leading the way in introducing flip chips into large sized backlight applications.