LYON, France, 8 March 2012. The market for gallium nitride power electronics devices will grow from $10 million this year to $50 million in 2013, and may exceed $1 billion by 2019, predict analysts at market research firm Yole Développement in Lyon, France. The company makes this prediction in its report entitled Power GaN-2012 edition.

2013 should be a turnaround year for GaN power electronics devices, analysts say. That year should see a switch from qualification to production ramp-up for several companies to enter the GaN power electronics devices, analysts say, as the GaN device market could reach $50 million.

In 2014, most of these new GaN power electronics companies will ramp- up their capacity, and by 2015 the availability and adoption of qualified GaN devices of at least 600 volts capacity should spur growth and open doors to non-consumer applications.

In 2015, analysts say, the number of companies involved in GaN power electronics should grow to 12 to 15 -- up from only two this year -- and should manufacturer at least 100,000 six-inch epiwafers.

The GaN power device industry probably generated less than $2.5 million in revenues last year with only two companies -- International Rectifier Corp. in El Segundo, Calif., and EPC Corp. in Glendale, Ariz. -- selling products on the open market, analysts say. Still, research contracts, qualification tests, and sampling helped boost GaN revenues. By early this year, International Rectifier and EPC will remain the only GaN power device vendors on the open market, analysts say.

An industry trend involves LED companies that are starting to look at GaN power electronics. The GaN power electronics industry is inseparable from the LED industry, analysts say.

For more information, or to order Power GaN-2012 edition, contact Yole Développement online at www.yole.fr.