Optogan builds Europe's second-largest LED chip production plant

Optogan, a subsidiary of the Onexim Group controlled by Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov, is a Russia-based manufacturer of LED chips, components and luminaires. In September, the company launched an LED bulb on its domestic market to replace 60W incandescent bulbs, priced at 995 rubles (approximately $33).

Image of Optogan's LED chip production plant in Landshut, Germany

Recently, Optogan completed an LED chip production plant in Landshut, Germany, to complement its production plant in St. Petersburg, Russia. Its production base in St. Petersburg, Russia received total financing of 3.35 billion (80 million euros) and was completed in December last year; it is currently the largest LED components and modules factory in Eastern Europe and the CIS region. The newly built LED chip production plant in Landshut, Germany, claims to be the second-largest LED chip production plant in Europe, second only to the LED chip factory set up by Osram in Regensburg, Germany. The factory inauguration ceremony was officiated by Martin Zeil, Bavarian State Minister of Economic Affairs.

　　This LED chip factory was formerly a semiconductor factory of Hitachi (a Japanese electronics and electrical company), with a cleanroom environment of 4,000 square meters. Optogan has invested millions of euros in renovations, with a planned initial annual production capacity of 1 billion LED chips.

　　Optogan is engaged in the production of LED chips, packaging of emitters, and LED desk lamps and lighting. The company was founded in 2004 by three Russian scientists in Helsinki, Finland. From 2005 onward, the company conducted chip R&D and chip production in Dortmund and Landshut, Germany, respectively. At the end of 2008, Optogan was acquired by its majority shareholder, Onexim Group (a private investment fund). The remaining two shareholders are Rusnano (a state investment fund) and the regional Republican Investment Company (RIC).