After receiving orders for its GaN-based blue LEDs this year at a rate far exceeding its original expectations, Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) of Tokyo, Japan has decided to invest JPY5bn ($40 million) to expand production capacity of gallium nitride-based blue LED chips at its Chiba site ahead of schedule. Capacity is expected to reach 200 million units per month by June 2008.

This is in addition to SDK's ongoing expansion (announced in February) from 30 million to 100 million units per month by the end of 2007 (capacity is currently 60 million units per month).

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