LED lighting – the new cost-saving trend?

In terms of saving money – and particularly reducing maintenance costs – LED light bulbs are becoming something of a trend for industry. According to a recent statement from the chairman of a Taiwan LED chipmaker, global shipments of LED light bulbs are expected to hit 600 million units this year – that’s three times as many as in 2012, or a growth rate of 300%.

Energy efficient

LED light bulbs are one of the most energy efficient lighting solutions, with a lifespan approximately 15 – 30 times that of a typical incandescent light bulb. As well as consuming less energy, the LED light bulb also uses its energy more efficiently, concentrating on illumination rather than heat, as with the older bulbs. With Europe banning incandescent lighting from 2012, there is certainly room in the market for the growth of LED.

Developing technology

One recent development, COB LED – where the integrated circuit is attached in Chip On Board form instead of Package on Board (POB) – is expected to bring down the cost of LED lighting. Furthermore, as it uses a single optical system instead of multiple optical systems, it can achieve superior light distribution compared to general LED products. However, there is likely to be strong competition from other technologies within LED lighting. In a recent press release, Edison Investment Research spoke of the ‘crowded competitive landscape with multiple competing technologies, over-capacity in some areas and margin pressure being felt throughout the supply chain. Broader end user adoption will alleviate some of these issues, but a wave of consolidation is needed to optimise manufacturing margins.’

World Cement will be bringing you more on this technology as it develops, including a case study in our Bulk Materials Handling Review (due out in September) on the use of LED lighting in a storage hall.

Written by Katherine Guenioui

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/25062013/led_light_bulbs_save_energy_and_money_22/