Asahi Kasei Discontinues UVC LED Device Production and Advances Aluminum Nitride Substrate Development
March 26, 2026
Asahi Kasei Corp.
Crystal IS, Inc.
Asahi Kasei announced it will discontinue UVC LED device production at its U.S. subsidiary, Crystal IS, as part of ongoing portfolio optimization under its medium-term management plan, Trailblaze Together.
Following the discontinuation, Crystal IS will focus on aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates, where Asahi Kasei has established technical capabilities. Crystal IS has been a pioneer in developing single-crystal AlN materials. While AlN remains a critical platform material for high performance UVC LEDs, its impact is increasingly relevant for high-performance radio frequency (RF) and power semiconductor applications. This shift concentrates resources on key markets, supported by demand from advanced communications and enhancement of electrical power infrastructure.
The company has already achieved 100 mm (4 inch) single-crystal AlN substrates compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing processes, enabling evaluation for semiconductor applications.
The financial impact of discontinuing UVC LED device production on Asahi Kasei’s consolidated results is expected to be immaterial.
