September 15, 2026 — Dongguan Lideda Optoelectronic Technology Co., Ltd. (LEDESTAR) held a patent licensing signing ceremony with Current Chemicals for KSF narrow-band red phosphor, officially announcing this collaboration. According to disclosures from both parties, the license became effective on September 13, 2024, granting Lideda worldwide rights to the patent portfolio for general lighting applications. The partnership followed multiple rounds of business negotiations.

KSF, chemically potassium fluorosilicate doped with manganese (K₂SiF₆:Mn⁴⁺), represents a core material technology for high-end lighting. Lideda stated that with this license, it will commercialize KSF phosphor technology for the packaging and manufacturing of next-generation high-color-rendering LED light sources.

KSF addresses a long-standing challenge of white LEDs. Conventional white LEDs typically lack red spectral components and suffer from low R9 (saturated red) values, limiting color rendition performance. KSF narrow-band red phosphor features a sharp emission peak, enabling high color rendering index (CRI) and excellent R9 saturated red performance while maintaining high luminous efficacy, resolving the industry trade-off between high color rendering and high luminous efficiency.

The technical solution delivers superior color stability and outstanding lumen maintenance. It is suitable for general lighting scenarios requiring stringent color accuracy, including museum exhibit lighting, premium hotel spaces, brand retail displays, luxury retail, and high-end residential lighting.

This technology originates from GE’s R&D legacy. Following the spin-off of GE’s lighting business, Current Chemicals took over the patent licensing and material manufacturing of KSF technology for general lighting.

Lideda commented that obtaining Current’s KSF patent license for general lighting completes the company’s critical patent portfolio in high-end light sources. Built upon this compliant patent foundation, Lideda can supply high-CRI LED components with full intellectual property protection to customers at home and abroad, mitigate IP risks associated with KSF phosphor, and remove patent barriers for its customers’ global product rollout.