LED lighting module maker Ledtech Electronics has partnered with Taiwan- and China-based LED chip makers to develop low-temperature UV(ultraviolet)-C LED light tubes used in commercial refrigerators with the products in process of certification by its Latin America-based clients. Shipments are likely to begin in the second quarter of 2021, according to company chairman and CEO Shou-hsiung Liu.

Low-temperature LED lighting tubes are one of the main businesses for Ledtech, with the product line expected to contribute more than 30% of the company's revenues in 2021, Liu said. However, demand for such product line from the US and Europe has sharply decreased due to the coronavirus pandemic, Liu noted.

Most Taiwanese LED lighting vendors used to rely on the supply from China-based makers in the past. But as labor costs in China have been rising and LED lighting products have to comply with Taiwan's regulations, Ledtech has seen decreased competition in the Taiwan market, Liu pointed out.

For the Taiwan LED lighting market, Ledtech has partnered with China Electric, a Taiwan-based lighting product brands and obtained a 6-year open-bid contract for supplying over 400,000 T5 LED light tubes. In addition, Ledtech has recently won an open bid for supplying about 28,000 LED panel ceiling lamps to Taiwan Business Bank, Liu said.

For overseas markets, Ledtech competes for orders for own-brand LED lighting products mainly from the US, Europe and Southeast Asia. As the US has imposed a 25% tariff on China-made LED lighting products due to US-China trade disputes, Ledtech has gain the upper hand over China-based competitors in the US market. Ledtech has been in competition for open-bid procurement of 150lm/W LED street lamps in the US, Liu added.

By DIGITIMES