White Light Without Rare Earths

The two affiliates — Seoul Semiconductor, a major Korean LED maker, and Seoul Viosys, its materials subsidiary — developed LEDs that emit white light without relying on rare earth-based phosphors, which are conventionally used to convert blue or ultraviolet chip emissions into white light.

Rare earth materials have long been a standard component in white LED production, and their supply has been subject to price volatility and concentration among a small number of producing countries. The companies' development points to a potential route around that dependency.

The companies have released the result as a completed development. Details on mass production timelines, performance specifications, or commercialization plans were not provided in the available information.

The claim's overall substance stands up: the companies did announce the development, though the extent of commercialization remains unstated, making the account Mostly True.

Verdict: Mostly True