Ikea invests in French GaN-based LED lighting firm

Ikea invests in French GaN-based LED lighting firm

Grenoble-based Aledia is developing LEDs  for lighting based on a gallium-nitride-on-silicon technology.

Ikea believes there is this low-price LED lighting technology for residential use has the potential of faster implementation of the LED technology, leading to savings for customers.

Christian Ehrenborg, managing director of Ikea GreenTech AB, said:

“This technology will be one important part in the IKEA Group strategy to supply high-quality, energy-saving lighting products to consumers worldwide.”

Aledia received the investment from IKEA as part of a €28.4m funding round.

“This financing round, abundantly oversubscribed and particularly the presence of two very large potential corporate customers, testifies to the interest that our cost-disruptive nanowire LED technology is generating in the customer base, as well as in the financial community,” said Giorgio Anania, CEO, chairman and co-founder of Aledia.

Aledia is developing LEDs that are manufactured on  200mm diameter GaN-on-silicon wafers to keep cost down.

Anania said:

“We are progressing with the development of the technology and this financing round will allow us to accelerate significantly the speed of development and the customer traction. In Valeo we have a major potential customer in the automotive LED market, generally viewed as the most profitable market segment. Simultaneously with the investment, we have signed a supply agreement with Valeo.”

The technology was originally developed by CEA-Leti.