The Photonics Industry & Technology Development Association ( PIDA) recently released its analysis of the 2009 LED market, and made projections on 2010.

While the LED industry was down in 2009 relative to 2008 - both in Taiwan and globally - a second half surge made what could have been a dismal year pretty good. PIDA reported the market for epitaxy wafer and chip revenue as down 3% from 2008. Considering that the market was down 30% in the first half of the year, its clear the second have was a growth period. LED-backlit LCD panels led the resurgence.

PIDAs report broke out Taiwanese epitaxy and chip numbers separate from packaging revenue. The organization pegs the former at NTD 33.5 billion, and the latter at NTD 53.3 billion. The packaging revenue was actually up 2% over 2008. Together, the segment totaled NTD 86.8 billion ($2,733 million US).

For 2010, PIDA projects slight growth in the Taiwanese epitaxy and chip market to NTD 34.1 billion ($1,068 million) and a relatively flat packaging segment at NTD 53.2 billion ($1,665 million). Globally, the organization projects a NTD 102 billion ($3.2 billion) market for LEDs, and NTD 263.1 billion ($8,230 million) market for packaging.

PIDA is not alone in expecting LED backlighting to drive the LED space in the near term. The January/February issue of LEDs Magazine includes an article on that topic with some analyst projections. DisplayBank, for instance, reported that 3.6 million LED-backlit LCD TV sets were sold in 2009 and that the number will climb to 32 million units in 2010 and 156 million by 2013.

PIDA is also promoting its LED Lighting 2010 conference thats planned for June 9-11. The organization is planning to proactively secure participation from companies and delegates globally.