By Paul-Henri Matha
We took the chance to visit APT LED manufacturing plant in Guangzhou during my trip to Shenzhen. APT was originated from Advanced Photoelectronic Technology, a Hong Kong company founded in 2003 by David Xiao (a cofounder) and incubated by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). In 2006, APT Electronics was established in Nansha District, Guangzhou. They produced first high-power flip-chip LED chip in 2006 and flip-chip white LED package in 2010 in China. From this time, APT has always been focused on high power and high-end LED devices.
APT successfully listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on November 8, 2024 (stock code: 2551.HK). The public subscription was oversubscribed by 5,678 times, setting a historical record for technology companies’ IPOs in Hong Kong.
They are now focusing on LED package. Wafers are coming from Epistar and Chinese local LED chip suppliers. Automotive LED business was the fastest-growing business for past three years in APT. Main customers for automotive are Geely, GAC, Changan, Marelli and mainly automotive brand and tier1.
APT has recently expanded its LED manufacturing capacity from 120 million capacity unit per month to 300 million. APT has also developed modules business (PCBA) with Linux company and Lamp manufacturing (Linway)
APT is now able to propose Matrix PCBs (32-pixel), 108-pixel solution (Demo) and other different pixel integrated ADB module, and also Mini LED / Micro LED demo (with wafer from HC semitek) with different pitch values.
Mini LED ISD Proposal by APT is a package on Board proposal (POB) with pitch 1.5mm which provides robust design for curved solution (bended). Apt is able to propose a unique display 1,000 mm x 130 mm that may be flexible.
During LED plant visits, I took time to see in detail some interesting steps I never had chance to see in my previous experience:
- Phosphor deposit on LED chip
- LED binning selection process at the end of assembly line (voltage, flux and color)
- Taping from a chip to a roll
