Taiwan-based PSS (patterned sapphire substrate) makers have been expanding production capacities, with total monthly capacity to increase from 2.19 million 2-inch-equivalent substrates in the first quarter of 2014 to 2.63 million units in the second, 3.55 million units in the third, and 4.27 million units in the fourth as demand has been growing from the LED sector, according to Digitimes Research.
Rigidtech Microelectronics was the largest maker accounting for 23.3% of the total capacity in the first quarter, followed by Crystalwise Technology and Crystal Applied Technology each with 20.5%, Digitimes Research indicated. The three makers will remain the three largest to account for 28.1%, 23.4% and 14.1% of total capacity in the fourth quarter.
Demand for 4-inch PSS is growing faster than that for 2-inch models. China- and Taiwan-based LED makers will have total demand for 6.257 million 4-inch PSS in 2014, while total supply will be 5.717 million units, mostly from Taiwan-based makers, 8.6% short of the demand, Digitimes Research pointed out.
Prices for a 4-inch PSS will rise from US$51 in the first quarter of 2014 to US$51-53 in the second and further to US$55 in the second half, while those for a 2-inch PSS will increase from US$12.5 in the first quarter to US$12.7-13.0 in the second half.
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