Crystal Applied Technology (CAT), among four Taiwan-based makers of sapphire wafers used to make LED chips, was the only one to see April 2011 revenues grow on quarter, according to the companies.
The other three makers are Tera Xtal Technology, Crystalwise Technology (CWT) and Wafer Works Optronics.
Taiwan-based producers of LED epitaxial wafers, in view of stagnant demand for LED applications, have asked makers of sapphire wafers to lower quotes from US$27-28 per 2-inch wafer currently to US$25 in the third quarter of 2011, according to industry sources.
Tera Xtal will expand its monthly production capacity from 450,000 wafers currently to 600,000 units at the end of 2011.
CWT expects to be listed on the local over-the-counter stock market on May 31.
| Sapphire wafer makers: Revenues, April 2011 (NT$m) |
| Company | Amount | M/M | Y/Y | January-April amount | Y/Y |
| CAT | 248 | 1.2% | 110.9% | 966 | 164% |
| Tera Xtal | 299 | (6.0%) | 259.1% | 1,180 | 365% |
| CWT | 270 | (22.0%) | 118.8% | 1,180 | 206% |
| Wafer Works Optronics | 71 | (5.0%) | 187.2% | 250 | 186% |
Source: Companies, compiled by Digitimes, May 2011