Seoul Viosys Acquires SETi to expand UV LED range
Seoul Viosys, a subsidiary of Seoul Semiconductor specialising in UV LEDs, has recently secured the executive management share of SETi (Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc), a short-wavelength ultraviolet LED company in the US.
SET developed the world's first short-wavelength ultraviolet and has the source technology for electronic devices (RF), since 2005.
Starting from an equity investment in SETi in 2005, Seoul Viosys has maintained close technical cooperation with SETi for more than 10 years to develop and commercialise UV LED chips with wavelengths below 350nm.
Since SETi's UV LED chip patents are critical components in the aerospace and defence industries, Seoul Viosys had to pass Ministry International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and to get approval from the US Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
For the past three years, Seoul Viosys has persistently persuaded the US Department of Defense and the Committee on Foreign Investments of the US and made many efforts to obtain the approval, and as a result, successfully took over the share and secured the executive management rights of SETi.
Seoul Viosys was established in 2002 based on the proposal made by Nitride Semiconductor (NS), the Japanese venture company to Seoul Semiconductor in 2001 for the technical cooperation and joint development of long-wavelength UV LED (360 nm ~ 400 nm). It has the source technology for UV LED that is applied to bio, hardening, forgery detection, medical appliances, and sterilization, and the company has produced from circuit (Epi) to chip, package, and module covering the entire wavelength range of UV and provided the UV system solution as well.
"With all original patents and the mass-production system required for the development and manufacture of UV LED, Seoul Viosys will continuously develop UV LED technologies to contribute to the improvement of technical competitiveness and industrial development in Korea and take the lead for energy conservation and environmental protection through the expansion of distribution of UV LED over the world," said Jae-jo Kim, the representative of Seoul Viosys.
"The source technology of short-wavelength UVC and RF we recently secured by obtaining the approval of US Department of Defense is the future technology essential for space industry and defense industry, and Seoul Viosys will expand this business globally based on related patents and mass-production technology."
Seoul Viosys specialises in UV LED manufacturing technology from 230 to 405nm wavelength and holds over 10,000 patents related to this field.
