Nitride Semiconductors

What Nitride Semiconductors does

Nitride Semiconductors Co., Ltd. is a privately held Japanese specialty semiconductor manufacturer founded in 2000 in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, that in its founding year achieved the world's first mass production of high-efficiency UV-LEDs at 350nm wavelength and subsequently added 375nm, 370nm, and 365nm products in 2001. The firm operates as a UV-LED specialist with a vertically integrated product stack spanning GaN wafers (n-GaN, p-GaN, undoped), bare LED chips, packaged lamps, power SMDs, high-power modules (365nm, 40W output), deep UV-LED packages (275nm, SMD/COB/Unit formats), and micro UV-LED chips (12µm x 24µm to 20µm x 40µm) targeting displays and sterilization applications. Core competence is gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxial crystal growth using MOCVD, with patented UV-LED structures covering both near-UV and deep UV wavelengths, including Micro UV-LED patents granted in Europe (UK, Germany, France) and the United States in 2021.

The firm runs a dual revenue model. On the B2B side it sells epitaxial wafers, chips, lamp and module packages to industrial OEMs serving banknote validator sensors, resin curing, photocatalytic air purification, and lighting/display applications, and holds a global niche top position in UV-LED for currency validator light sources. On the B2C side it sells LEDPURE-branded sterilization and air-purification products (LEDPURE AH1, AM1, HH1, HH1+, DDL-20 downlight, TDL-30 tube, AF1, and MOSPURE mosquito traps) via its own e-commerce site (ledpure.jp) and formerly via a Tokyo showroom. Patent licensing to Seoul Semiconductor Group on an exclusive basis for global UV-LED applications provides a parallel royalty stream, anchored by Seoul Semiconductor's portfolio of more than 10,000 LED-related patents and chip process capability.

The firm maintains deep research collaborations with Tokushima University's Professor Shiro Sakai (co-inventor of core UV-LED patents), the National Hospital Organization Sendai Medical Center Virus Center for pathogen inactivation verification, Tohoku University and V Technology for micro UV-LED display driving circuits, and the Philippine National Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) for mosquito-borne disease applications. It has actively enforced its IP, winning a 2020 verdict against RayVio in the US District Court for the Northern District of California and settling against Digi-Key in 2021, with additional pending cases against Lite-On Technology and Crystal IS. The 2018 establishment of the wholly-owned Micro-Nitride subsidiary indicates a strategic pivot toward micro-LED display technology targeting AR/VR and major display customers.

Name

Nitride Semiconductors

Legal name

NITRIDE SEMICONDUCTORS Co.,Ltd.

Website

https://nitride.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nitride Semiconductors is a privately held Japanese UV-LED specialist manufacturer founded in 2000 that produces GaN-based UV-LED wafers, chips, lamps, modules, and deep UV-LED sterilization devices for industrial OEMs, plus LEDPURE-branded consumer air purifiers and sterilization products, with exclusive UV-LED patent licensing to Seoul Semiconductor Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

UV-LED optoelectronic components

NAICS

Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517), Electric Lamp Bulb and Other Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (335139), Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wide-Bandgap Power Devices (SiC/GaN Discretes) (HDAHAHAG), Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF), UV Germicidal Light (UV-C) & HVAC Disinfection Systems (HSAOAIAI)

Keywords

• UV-LED manufacturing
• Gallium nitride semiconductors
• Deep UV sterilization devices
• Micro LED chips
• Industrial UV curing systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Naruto

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. UV-LED component sales (B2B): Sale of epitaxial wafers, LED bare chips, packaged lamps, power SMDs, and modules to industrial customers for sensor, resin curing, photocatalysis, and lighting applications.
2. Deep UV-LED component sales (B2B): Deep UV-LED SMD, COB, and unit products for sterilization applications sold to manufacturers of air purifiers, water sterilizers, and medical equipment.
3. LEDPURE consumer products (B2C): Consumer-facing products under the LEDPURE brand: air purifiers (AH1, AM1, AF1), humidifying air purifiers (HH1, HH1+), sterilization lamps (DDL-20 downlight, TDL-30 fluorescent type), mosquito traps (MOSPURE), and custom irradiation equipment. Distributed via Tokyo showroom, e-commerce, and retail.
4. Patent licensing: Licensing of UV-LED technology patents to Seoul Semiconductor Group for exclusive use in UV applications, in exchange for royalties and strategic cooperation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Nitride Semiconductors manufactures and sells gallium nitride (GaN)-based ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED) components, including epitaxial wafers, bare LED chips, packaged lamps, Power SMDs, and high-power modules, along with deep UV-LED (275nm) components for sterilization and disinfection. The company's finished products include the Deep UV LED Shower BOX for medical facility sanitization, UV LED flood lights and irradiators for industrial curing, and the LEDPURE consumer brand of UV air purifiers, humidifiers, mosquito traps (MOSPURE), and ceiling-mounted sterilization lighting for home use.

Product overview

Nitride Semiconductors is a UV LED specialist manufacturer offering a comprehensive product portfolio centered on gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology. The core offering consists of UV LED products in various form factors: GaN wafers (n-type, p-type, undoped), bare LED chips, packaged lamps, power SMDs, and high-power modules. The company pioneered the world's first mass production of UV-LEDs in 2000. Key product lines include Deep UV LEDs (275nm wavelength) for sterilization/disinfection available in SMD, COB, and unit formats; the Deep UV LED Shower BOX for medical facility sanitization; the LEDPURE consumer/commercial sub-brand featuring air purifiers, humidifiers, mosquito traps, and ceiling-mounted sterilization lights; and emerging Micro UV LED Display technology (385-400nm, <50μm chips) for AR/VR and next-generation displays. UV irradiation products include flood lights and custom irradiators for industrial curing applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LEDPURE (ピュア): Consumer-facing B2C brand for UV LED air purifiers, sterilizers, humidifiers, and mosquito traps for home use. Includes product lines: AH1 (air sterilizer), AM1 (multi-function sterilizer/mosquito trap), HH1 (UV sterilizing humidifier), HH1+ (humidifier with air purification), DDL-20 (deep UV ceiling downlight), TDL-30 (deep UV fluorescent tube), AF1 (large-space air sterilizer).
• MOSPURE (モスピュア)
• Micro Nightride (マイクロ・ナイトライド)

Products and services

• GaN Wafer (n-GaN, p-GaN, u-GaN) Gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor epitaxial wafers in n-type, p-type, and undoped variants, serving as the foundational substrate material for UV LED chip manufacturing. Sold to LED chip makers and research institutions.
• UV LED Bare Chip Processed UV-LED bare chips sold to LED packaging houses and OEMs that integrate them into finished lighting, curing, and sterilization products.
• Micro UV LED (μLED / µUV LED) Microscale UV LEDs at 385-400nm wavelength with chip sizes of 12μm x 24μm to 20μm x 40μm, using superlattice structures and patterned sapphire substrates for high efficiency. Designed for next-generation micro-LED display, AR/VR, and flexible-display applications.
• UV LED Lamp (packaged lamp) Packaged UV LED lamps that OEMs drop into finished fixtures for curing, printing, sensor, and disinfection applications.
• UV Power SMD (3SLR series) Surface-mount device (SMD) packaged UV LED power components designed for high-density PCB mounting in OEM products including UV curing systems, 3D printers, and sterilization fixtures.
• High-Power UV LED Module (365nm, up to 40W) High-power UV LED modules with direct-on-copper mounting substrates for industrial UV curing of adhesives, inks, varnishes, photoresist, and 3D printing resins, replacing mercury UV lamps with mercury-free operation and 70% energy savings.
• Deep UV LED (275nm SMD, COB, and Unit) Deep UV LED components at 275nm wavelength in SMD, COB (Chip on Board), and unit package formats, intended for integration into medical equipment, air purifiers, water sterilizers, and surface disinfection products. Independently verified to inactivate virus and bacteria.
• Deep UV LED Shower BOX Walk-through sterilization chamber using 275nm deep UV LEDs for full-body 360-degree sanitization of medical staff and patients in protective equipment in approximately 4 minutes 20 seconds. Deployed at Yokohama City Medical Association hospitals, Tokushima public hospitals, and other medical facilities. Underlies the NASA International Space Station UV air cleaning system.
• UV LED Flood Light (FL Series) UV LED flood light fixtures providing high-power UV output for industrial curing, surface irradiation, varnishing, printing, and coating processes.
• UV LED Mini Irradiator and 3D Lime Light (Customizable Irradiators) Compact high-power UV LED irradiators, 3D lime light systems, and custom-made UV irradiation solutions tailored to specific customer requirements such as 3D curing, prototyping, and laboratory applications.
• LEDPURE Consumer Series (AH1, AM1, AF1, HH1, HH1+, SM1, MOSPURE, DDL-20, TDL-30) Consumer-facing brand of UV-LED air purifiers (AH1, AM1, AF1), UV humidifying air purifiers (HH1, HH1+), UV sterilizers including Sanrio Hello Kitty SM1, UV mosquito traps (MOSPURE), and ceiling-mounted deep UV LED sterilization lighting (DDL-20 downlight, TDL-30 fluorescent tube). Sold via ledpure.jp e-commerce, former Shinjuku Tokyo showroom, and nationwide TV and magazine advertising campaigns.
• Micro UV LED Display (μLED display technology) Next-generation micro-LED display technology using 385-400nm micro UV-LED chips below 50μm with superlattice structures and patterned sapphire substrates to excite RGB phosphors for full-color ultra-fine pitch displays. Targets AR/VR glasses, wearable displays, large-format panels, and flexible substrates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% energy savings when replacing mercury UV lamps with UV-LED
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tokushima University - Professor Shiro Sakai (徳島大学 酒井士郎 名誉教授)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint development of GaN-based UV-LED technology since 2000. Professor Sakai and Nitride jointly achieved the world's first high-efficiency UV-LED development in 2000. Professor Sakai is the co-inventor of core UV-LED patents.
• V Technology Co., Ltd. and Tohoku University COC Secretary General Goto Laboratory (東北大学未来科学技術共同研究センター 後藤哲也教授)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborative research on driving micro UV-LED displays using silicon single-crystal CMOS pixel circuit chips on flexible substrates. Presented at the 28th International Display Workshop 2021.
• Philippine National Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Joint research on mosquito-borne disease prevention using UV mosquito traps (MOSPURE). Tested at RITM facilities in the Philippines, demonstrating capture of 450 mosquitoes in 1 hour in enclosed test chambers. Aims to address dengue fever, malaria, Zika, and other tropical diseases.
• US SETi (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International subsidiary)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017US SETi collaborated with Nitride on UV-LED technology for the International Space Station UV cleaning system. SETi was a defendant in Nitride's 2020 patent lawsuit but the relationship predates the litigation.
• Seoul Biosys ( Seoul BioSys / 韓国ソウルバイオシス社)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Seoul Biosys collaborated with Nitride on the LEDPURE series products and the International Space Station UV cleaning technology. Part of the 17-year collaborative development effort leading to the ISS adoption.
• National Hospital Organization Sendai Medical Center - Virus Center (独立行政法人国立病院機構仙台医療センター臨床研究部ウイルスセンター)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Ongoing joint research collaboration on virus inactivation using deep UV-LED. Confirmed 275nm wavelength effectiveness against coronavirus OC43 (SARS-CoV-2 surrogate), influenza virus, norovirus, and other pathogens. Also verified that 275nm equals or exceeds 254nm mercury lamp effectiveness. Led by Dr. Nishimura Shuichi (西村秀一), Virus Center Director.
• Seoul Semiconductor Group ( Seoul Semiconductor / 韓国ソウル半导体グループ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Seoul Semiconductor Group is the exclusive global licensee of Nitride's UV-LED technology patents. The partnership combines Nitride's crystal growth technology with Seoul's chip process technology. Seoul holds over 10,000 LED-related patents and is a key manufacturing partner. The relationship dates to the early 2000s when Seoul recognized the value of Nitride's patents.
• Yokohama City Medical Association (横浜市立市民病院, 横浜市大付属市立総合医療センター, 聖マリアンナ医科大学病院)minorOthersThree hospitals received donated Deep UV-LED Shower BOX units (¥5 million total) for COVID-19 medical staff protection. Equipment deployed in emergency surgery room entrances.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Seoul Viosys: Seoul Semiconductor Group's UV-LED subsidiary and Nitride's exclusive licensee; directly comparable in deep UV LED chip manufacturing and global UV LED commercial deployment.
• Crystal IS (Asahi Kasei): US-based aluminum nitride deep UV-LED maker now part of Asahi Kasei; competes head-to-head in 260-280nm DUV-LED chips for sterilization.
• SETi (Sensor Electronic Technology): US developer of deep UV-LEDs and AlGaN-based UV LEDs; co-developed ISS sterilization technology with Nitride and is a direct competitor in DUV LEDs.
• Lite-On Technology: Taiwanese optoelectronics company and defendant in Nitride's pending UV-LED patent litigation in WD Texas; directly comparable in UV-LED component sales.
• RayVio: US deep UV-LED startup found to infringe Nitride's patents in 2020; materially comparable DUV-LED target markets and applications.

Broad incumbents

• Nichia Corporation: Dominant Japanese LED manufacturer with UV-LED and laser diode portfolio; competes in the same GaN epitaxial and LED chip space but at vastly greater scale.
• Toyoda Gosei (Pioneer Torch): Japanese optoelectronics manufacturer producing GaN-based UV and violet LEDs; broad incumbent with overlapping UV-LED chip capabilities.
• ams-OSRAM: Global optoelectronics major with UV-LED and phototherapy LED portfolio; broad incumbent in sterilization and industrial UV applications.
• Lumileds: Leading specialty LED maker with UV and horticulture LED product lines; comparable in advanced LED component technology.
• Signify (Philips Lighting): Global lighting giant with UV-C disinfection lamp products; competes in the downstream application layer where Nitride's DUV-LEDs are integrated.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nitridesemi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nitride Semiconductors