Seoul Viosys begins production of rare-earth-free white light emitter

White LEDs now cost half as much to produce and are significantly more environmentally friendly.

Seoul Viosys, a subsidiary of Seoul Semiconductor, has begun mass production of a rare-earth-free white light emitter chip. For thirty years, white LEDs have relied on rare-earth phosphors layered onto blue LED chips. The new WICOP 3 technology, however, generates white light directly from gallium nitride (GaN) without these materials or conventional packaging. These chips can be as small as 10 micrometers. The company claims this new chip is not only more environmentally friendly but also costs approximately half to produce compared to traditional white LEDs. This breakthrough allows for white light emission from both large-format chips and micro-LEDs under 100 micrometers, previously not achievable with rare-earth-free technology.

The development signals a significant shift in LED manufacturing, potentially disrupting the estimated $10 billion white LED market by offering a cheaper and greener alternative. By eliminating rare-earth elements and packaging materials like plastics and silicone, Seoul Viosys addresses environmental concerns and production costs. This innovation could pave the way for new applications in lighting, such as embedding emitters directly into building materials, and has implications for the burgeoning micro-LED market.

This rare-earth-free micro-LED technology has the potential to unlock new markets, particularly in augmented reality (AR) displays and AI data communications, where miniaturization, speed, and power efficiency are critical. Seoul Viosys is actively seeking supply chain partners for these future applications, indicating a strategic move to capitalize on emerging technology trends that could generate substantial new revenue streams.