Technical Insight
Osram takes control of Opto Semiconductors business
Osram is to buy Infineon s 49% share in the companies joint venture, Osram Opto Semiconductors, for $509 million. Osram, which is wholly owned by Siemens, has traditionally concentrated on incandescent light sources, and is one of the world s largest lighting companies. Osram and Infineon, the divested semiconductor division of Siemens, set up Osram Opto Semiconductors to capitalize on the growing potential of semiconductor light sources. The company manufactures high-brightness LEDs and also modules incorporating LEDs for lighting and signaling applications, as well as high-power laser diodes for pump sources and material processing. This is a further move in Infineon s recent restructuring program that has also seen the sell-off of its infrared components business (see Compound Semiconductor August 2001, p31). To date, Infineon has shown no indication of divesting either its GaAs products group or its fiber-optic components business, which makes DWDM components and transceiver modules. The acquisition of Infineon s stake will strengthen Osram s position in the opto semiconductors market. "Osram is transforming itself from a traditional manufacturer of lightbulbs into a high-tech company," said Wolf-Dieter Bopst, president of Osram. "A major factor in this is the expansion of our business in semiconductor light sources." See . New plant in Germany Osram Opto Semiconductors recently announced that it is to build a huge new facility in Regensburg, Germany for the manufacture of LEDs, laser diodes and sensors - see p19 for further details.
