Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH was a German optoelectronic semiconductor company producing LEDs, laser diodes, infrared components, detectors, and optical sensors.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH was a Regensburg-based German optoelectronic semiconductor business established in 1999 as a joint venture between Osram and Infineon Technologies. It emerged from the reorganization of Siemens's semiconductor activities, with Osram initially acquiring a 51 percent majority interest in the light-emitting-diode business while Infineon retained a 49 percent share. Osram acquired Infineon's remaining interest in 2001, making the operation wholly owned by Osram. The company developed and manufactured semiconductor components used in illumination, sensing, and visualization. Its portfolio included visible-light LEDs, high-performance infrared LEDs and emitters, silicon photodetectors, optical sensors, semiconductor lasers, and related packaged components. Products were supplied in multiple output classes, package formats, brightness levels, and mounting configurations, including surface-mount and through-hole components. Its applications covered automotive lighting, dashboard illumination, headlamps, general lighting, projection systems, rear-projection television, infrared systems, information panels, mobile devices, navigation displays, LCD monitors, large-format video screens, stadium and concert displays, and industrial or consumer sensing. The company also pursued organic light-emitting-diode light sources and direct green semiconductor laser technology, extending its activities beyond conventional LED components. A significant manufacturing development was the construction of an optoelectronic chip factory in Regensburg. The first phase opened in 2003 after a 21-month construction period and covered approximately 36,000 square meters. The reported investment for that phase was about €120 million, while a second phase was formally opened in 2008. Additional manufacturing operations were located in Penang and Kulim in Malaysia and Wuxi in China. Around 2010, the business employed more than 6,000 people and represented approximately one-fifth of Osram GmbH's sales, according to the cited reference material. The company was described as one of the world's leading optoelectronic semiconductor manufacturers, competing with specialist suppliers including Nichia and Cree. In 2021, Osram Opto Semiconductors was integrated into AMS-Osram International GmbH following the development of the ams OSRAM group. The standalone company is therefore no longer an independent operating entity under its former corporate structure, although its technologies, facilities, product families, and organizational activities continue within the broader ams OSRAM business.
History
Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH was created in 1999 during the restructuring of Siemens's semiconductor operations. Osram acquired a 51 percent majority position in the LED division, while Infineon Technologies, the Siemens semiconductor successor, initially retained 49 percent. The arrangement established a dedicated optoelectronic semiconductor business under the Osram and Infineon groups. In 2001, Osram purchased Infineon's remaining shares. The transaction converted the joint venture into an Osram-controlled company and enabled the business to pursue a unified product and manufacturing strategy. Its activities centered on optoelectronic semiconductor devices for illumination, sensing, and visualization rather than on finished consumer lighting products. The company's product range expanded across visible-light LEDs, infrared emitters and LEDs, photodetectors, optical sensors, semiconductor lasers, and packaged components. These devices were used in automotive dashboards and headlights, general lighting, projection, rear-projection television, information displays, mobile equipment, navigation systems, monitors, and large-format screens. The company supplied both monochrome and multicolor LED technologies, including components suitable for large entertainment, sports, and trade-show displays. It also worked on OLED light sources and laser-based projection technologies. Manufacturing capacity became an important part of the company's development. In Regensburg, Germany, it built an optoelectronic chip factory whose first phase opened in 2003 following a 21-month construction program. The first phase covered approximately 36,000 square meters and involved reported investment of about €120 million. A second phase was officially opened in 2008. The company also operated manufacturing sites in Penang and Kulim in Malaysia and Wuxi in China. By around fiscal 2010, the business employed more than 6,000 people and its activity accounted for approximately 20 percent of Osram GmbH sales, according to the referenced profile. It was presented as a major international supplier of optoelectronic semiconductors, positioned behind Nichia and ahead of Cree in the cited competitive ranking. The company combined component manufacturing with research in areas such as direct green semiconductor lasers; work in that field received the Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize in 2010. The corporate structure changed again in 2021. Osram Opto Semiconductors was integrated into AMS-Osram International GmbH and became part of the ams OSRAM group. This integration ended the company's existence as a separate standalone company under its former identity, while its product capabilities and operations continued within the combined group.
- 2021
Integration into AMS-Osram International
[1]The company was integrated into AMS-Osram International GmbH and became part of the ams OSRAM group.
- 2010
Green semiconductor laser work receives research award
[1]Company researchers received the Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize for work on direct green semiconductor lasers.
- 2009
OLED light-source manufacturing begins
[1]The company began producing organic light-emitting-diode light sources.
- 2008
Regensburg factory expansion completed
[1]The second phase of the Regensburg manufacturing facility was officially opened.
- 2003
First Regensburg chip-factory phase opens
[1]The first phase of a new optoelectronic chip factory opened in Regensburg after a 21-month construction period.
- 2001
Osram becomes sole owner
[1]Osram acquired Infineon's remaining interest in the optoelectronic semiconductor business.
- 1999
Company established through Osram–Infineon joint venture
[1]Osram took a 51 percent majority share in the LED business separated from Siemens's semiconductor operations, with Infineon initially holding the remaining 49 percent.
Products and positioning
A specialist optoelectronic semiconductor manufacturer serving illumination, visualization, automotive, sensing, projection, and display applications. The business positioned its components across both high-volume LED markets and technically demanding infrared, detector, sensor, and semiconductor-laser applications.
LED components
Visible-light LEDs
The company's visible-light LED range served illumination, automotive, projection, visualization, and display applications. Components were offered in different brightness levels, output classes, package formats, and mounting configurations. Automotive uses included dashboard lighting and headlamps, while other applications included general lighting, projection systems, information panels, mobile devices, monitors, and large-format displays.
Infrared emitters and LEDs
Infrared components
Osram Opto Semiconductors produced high-performance infrared LEDs and emitters for infrared systems and sensing-related applications. The components formed part of the company's broader optoelectronic portfolio and were supplied in multiple performance and packaging configurations.
Sensors and detectors
Optical sensors and photodetectors
The business manufactured silicon photodetectors and optical sensors for applications requiring the emission, detection, or measurement of light. These devices complemented its LED and infrared portfolios and supported the company's focus on optoelectronic sensing.
Laser components
Semiconductor lasers
Semiconductor lasers extended the company's technology base beyond LED components, particularly for projection and visualization applications. The company also conducted development work on direct green semiconductor lasers, which was recognized with the Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize in 2010.
OLED components · 2009
OLED light sources
Beginning in 2009, the company manufactured organic light-emitting-diode light sources. These products broadened its display and illumination activities beyond inorganic LED technologies and were also associated with small-display backlighting applications.
Brand decisions
2021
Integrate the company into AMS-Osram InternationalM&ABackground
The formation of the ams OSRAM group changed the organizational structure surrounding Osram's optoelectronic semiconductor activities.
Action taken
Osram Opto Semiconductors was integrated into AMS-Osram International GmbH.
Aftermath
The company ceased to operate as a separate standalone entity and became part of the ams OSRAM group.
2003
Expand semiconductor manufacturing in RegensburgStrategyBackground
The company sought additional in-house optoelectronic chip capacity in Germany.
Action taken
It opened the first phase of a 36,000-square-meter Regensburg optoelectronic chip factory.
Aftermath
The facility became a major manufacturing base, with a second phase opened in 2008.
Reported investment in the first factory phase. Approximately €120 million (2003)
2001
Acquire Infineon's remaining interestM&ABackground
The company had operated with Osram as majority owner and Infineon as minority shareholder since its formation.
Action taken
Osram purchased all remaining Infineon shares in the optoelectronic semiconductor operation.
Aftermath
Osram became the sole owner and gained full control over the business's strategy and operations.
1999
Create a dedicated optoelectronic semiconductor businessStrategyBackground
Siemens separated its semiconductor operations, creating the basis for a new ownership structure around the LED business.
Action taken
Osram acquired a 51 percent majority share and established the business with Infineon retaining a 49 percent interest.
Aftermath
The arrangement formed the corporate foundation of Osram Opto Semiconductors.
Recent events
- 2021
Osram Opto Semiconductors integrated into AMS-Osram International[1]
M&A
The former standalone company was integrated into AMS-Osram International GmbH and became part of the ams OSRAM group.
- 2010
Direct green semiconductor laser research receives Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize[1]
Other
Researchers associated with the company received the Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize for development work on direct green semiconductor lasers.
- 2009
Osram Opto Semiconductors begins OLED light-source manufacturing[1]
Product launch
The company began manufacturing organic light-emitting-diode light sources as an extension of its semiconductor and display-technology portfolio.
- 2008
Second phase of Regensburg factory opens[1]
Other
The company formally opened the second phase of its Regensburg manufacturing facility, expanding its semiconductor production base.
- 2003
Regensburg optoelectronic chip factory opens[1]
Other
The first phase of the company's Regensburg optoelectronic chip factory began operations after a 21-month construction period.
- 2001
Osram acquires Infineon's remaining stake[1]
M&A
Osram bought Infineon's remaining shares in the optoelectronic semiconductor operation, bringing the company fully under Osram ownership.
- 1999
Osram establishes optoelectronic semiconductor joint venture with Infineon[1]
M&A · Other
Osram acquired a majority stake in the LED business separated from Siemens's semiconductor operations, while Infineon initially retained the minority interest.
Sources1 sources
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