• Bright market prospects for displays, LEDs, OLEDs, etc.
• Technology leaders will present their latest products and solutions at electronica 2008 in Munich from November 11 to 14, 2008
• Wide range of exhibits: from power management for high-brightness LEDs through to high-end applications of (O)LEDs in automobiles, consumer electronics, architecture and signage

2007 marked a turning point on the worldwide display market: at the end of 2007, more liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) had been sold than traditional tube TV sets. The market research institute DisplaySearch estimates that by 2015 around 90 percent of all display elements sold will be LCDs. Forecasts such as these are encouraging and inspiring an entire industry because modern flat-screen TV and computer screens, as well as the displays of mobile devices such as notebooks, cell phones or MP3 players require excellent background illumination which is provided by LEDs or organic LEDs (OLEDs). iSuppli is expecting that the current LED market volume in this application alone will increase from $6 billion to $12.3 billion by 2012.

However, background illumination is not the only driving-force behind the (O)LED market. Rapidly coming to the fore are new, environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, reliable and extremely color-flexible signaling, lighting and illumination concepts in industry through to applications in housing and building engineering, as well as, for example, the increasing number of (O)LED applications in modern cars.

The technological trends for displays and LEDs/OLEDs and their power supply will certainly be some of the most spectacular subject areas at electronica 2008, the leading international trade fair for electronic components, systems and applications, which will be held at the New Munich Trade Fair Center from November 11 to 14, 2008. This exhibition area can be found in Hall A3.

The display boom is creating, in particular, demand for high-brightness (HB) LEDs. The market research institute iSuppli estimates that the market for HB-LEDs is worth $3.7 billion (2006) and expects it to double in volume to more than $7 billion by 2010. This in turn is fueling demand for high-brightness (HB) LED driver products with which several LEDs can be controlled simultaneously or very high light efficiency is possible. Strategies Unlimited is anticipating that the market volume of $865 million (2006) will increase to $1.9 billion in a few years (2011). The beneficiaries of this boom are electronica exhibitors such as Texas Instruments, for example with LED drivers for controlling high-resolution video display screens, or National Semiconductor, for example with high-current LED flash drivers or special online LED development tools which can reduce designs of LED power management solutions from weeks to minutes. A large number of technology leaders will also present their solutions at electronic 2008, for example Linear Technology with an integrated BIAS and white light LED voltage transformer solution for small to medium-sized TFT (thin-film transistor) LCD panels and STMicroelectronics whose product range includes constant current LED drivers with an automatic energy saving function.

LEDs are also making inexorable advances in the automobile industry. They are used as efficient and non-dazzle background illumination for the dashboard and, as brake lights, replace the conventional white light bulbs, but also halogen and xenon lamps. Market researchers such as IMS Research estimated the worldwide sales of LEDs in the automobile industry at $650 million in 2006. The market volume is expected to double to $1.3 billion by 2016. Alone the demand due to prescribed daytime driving with lights in an increasing number of countries will lead to a growth explosion with LEDs in this sector from $5 million in 2007 to over $100 million in 2013. This will also benefit Osram Opto Semiconductors, one of the leading companies in the industry and an exhibitor at electronica 2008. The company’s LEDs are already used, for example, as full headlights for a new SUV from Cadillac.

Companies such as Optrex also provide a “clearer view” behind the steering wheel. Optrex’s transparent signage displays are based on organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) which are integrated in the windscreen and conveniently supply information and warnings. Their high efficiency, wide range of colors and now also their increasing durability are making versatile OLEDs attractive for more and more applications ranging from a brightly colored iPhone display through to the new 11 inch Sony OLED television. Organic LEDs are also becoming more important as regards illumination: Osram has already achieved a service life of more than 5,000 hours for warm white OLEDs with a brightness of 1000 cd/m2. Luminous tiles, LED wallpaper and luminous partitions therefore no longer seem like futuristic ideas.

Visitors to electronic 2008 in November will definitely be able to obtain a very clear impression of the numerous advantages and application areas of (O)LEDs on the large number of exhibition stands. New stand concepts will be formulated up to November 2008 in which lighting no longer comes from excessively heat-generating light bulbs, but from power-saving, energy-efficient LED light sources. When shown in their true light, these exhibits will be “totally cool” rather than a “hot issue”.

This press release can be found in the Internet at www.electronica.de/press. Photos are availabe at www.electronica.de/photos.

About electronica
electronica is the world’s leading trade fair for electronics components, systems, and applications. Since 1964, it has been taking place every second year in Munich and is a core element of the electronics trade fair network of Munich International Trade Fair. This network includes the leading global trade fairs, electronica, and Productronica, held in Munich, as well as leading regional trade fairs in Brazil, Hong Kong, China, and India. With over 8,000 exhibitors and more than 280,000 visitors, the Munich International Trade Fair is the leading organizer of trade fairs in this sector.

The Internet portal www.global-electronics.net is the virtual platform of the international electronics industry, with sector information, market data, product innovations, and application reports, as well as information on electronics trade fairs.

About Munich International Trade Fairs (MMI)
Munich International Trade Fairs (MMI) is one of the world’s leading trade fair organizations, with around 40 specialized trade fairs for investment goods, consumer goods, and new technologies. Over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and more than two million visitors from over 200 countries take part in events in Munich. In addition, MMI arranges specialized trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East, and South America. With overseas investment companies in Europe and Asia, as well as 66 overseas representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a global network available to it.

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MEXPERTS AG, Public Relations Unit
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