According to market researcher iSuppli Corp, the LEDs used for backlighting LCDs larger than 10 inches diagonally are in short supply at a time when shipments of LCD panels are to expected to soar.
The shortage is likely to last until the end of this year. ISuppli predicts large-sized LCD display shipments with LED banklights will more than double this year to 276.7 million from 117.8 million units a year earlier. By comparison, total display shipments are expected to rise to 642.5 million from 526.6 million.
ISuppli predicts shipments of LED backlights to rise another 73% to 477.6 million units in 2011 and take up 88% of the total large-sized LCD television market by 2014.
"There have been mounting concerns in the industry about supply constraints for LEDs and light guide plates, two of the major components for LED backlights," said Sweta Dash, senior director for LCD research at iSuppli. But Dash expects the supply will increase and the constraint will ease going into 2011.
The increased popularity in LED backlighting is due to its substantial advantages, compared with the older cold-cathode fluorescent lamp technology. LED are slimmer, lighter in weight, consumes less power and are free of mercury.
More than 40% of the LED backlights are used in LCD televisions, mobile computers and desktop monitors. While used in electronic signage, industrial and medical applications are on the rise. By 2012, LED backlights will be used by all notebook panels, iSuppli said.