Merck Advanced Technologies, the Korean affiliate of Germany’s Merck, said Thursday it would begin commercial supply of red nitride LED phosphors, used in lighting products, in the first half of this year, in addition to its green LuAG and more reliable silicate phosphors to meet rising demand in the LED market and diversify LED packaging.

LED phosphors are used to coat blue light emitting diodes to transform the blue light into white light, as recognized by human eyes. More than 90 percent of the global market is controlled by companies in Germany, Japan and the U.S.

Merck also said it would establish a phosphor synthesis technology lab and an LED packaging application lab in the first half of this year in order to enhance its technology support for customers in Asia.

“Merck has continued research and development and productivity improvement since it began the LED phosphor business in 2007 by acquiring Litec LLL and now is the time to be aggressive with our marketing activity based on our quality competitiveness,” said Martina Hueber, Global M&S Manager of Merck.

The company introduced these new products in a seminar on LED phosphor technology trends Thursday.

By Kim So-hyun  (sophie@heraldcorp.com)