Infrared LEDs - Global Strategic Business Report

The global market for Infrared LEDs was estimated at US$881.4 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$1.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2024 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. The report includes the most recent global tariff developments and how they impact the Infrared LEDs market.

What’s Powering the Surge in Infrared LED Adoption Across High-Tech Sectors?

Global Infrared LED Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Infrared (IR) LEDs, emitting light beyond the visible spectrum, have become critical enablers across a wide spectrum of industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. Unlike visible LEDs, IR LEDs are used for sensing, surveillance, data transmission, and machine vision, making them essential in everything from automotive safety systems and medical diagnostics to industrial automation and smart home devices. As industries continue to digitize and automate, the demand for reliable, energy-efficient, and high-performance IR LED solutions is growing significantly.

In recent years, the market has witnessed a shift from traditional IR sources like incandescent bulbs and laser diodes to IR LEDs due to their longer operational life, lower heat emission, and compact size. This shift is further supported by advancements in materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium gallium arsenide phosphide (InGaAsP), which have improved the efficiency, spectral sensitivity, and modulation speeds of IR LEDs. At the same time, IR LED components are becoming increasingly cost-effective and easier to integrate into compact electronic devices, fueling their adoption across next-generation products in healthcare, consumer electronics, and industrial automation.

How Are Innovations and Applications Expanding the Role of IR LEDs?

Technological innovation is at the heart of the IR LED market’s expansion. A major development has been the growth of short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) and near-infrared (NIR) LED technologies, which offer higher penetration through fog, dust, and biological tissues - making them ideal for facial recognition, remote sensing, and biometric scanning. This has enabled new levels of precision and security in smartphones, surveillance systems, and wearable medical devices. As a result, IR LEDs are now integral to 3D sensing systems, night vision cameras, LiDAR, gesture recognition modules, and eye-tracking devices in AR/VR environments.

In the industrial sector, IR LEDs are central to machine vision systems used for quality inspection, object sorting, and presence detection on assembly lines. They are also key to non-contact thermometers and thermal imaging tools used in manufacturing, healthcare, and smart city infrastructure. Meanwhile, the automotive industry has embraced IR LEDs in driver monitoring systems, occupancy detection, and forward-collision warning systems - especially with the acceleration of autonomous vehicle development. Continuous miniaturization and better heat dissipation designs are enhancing integration flexibility, allowing for broader deployment in space-constrained devices and harsh operating conditions.

Where Is Sector-Specific Demand Gaining Traction?

The demand for IR LEDs is expanding rapidly across several core verticals. In consumer electronics, the rollout of facial recognition in smartphones, tablets, and laptops is one of the most influential drivers. These devices rely on NIR LEDs for fast, accurate depth sensing, particularly in low-light environments. Similarly, wearable health monitoring devices are using IR LEDs to measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and other vital signs through non-invasive photoplethysmography (PPG) techniques, offering high sensitivity and reliability. This trend is particularly relevant as remote healthcare and wellness monitoring become more mainstream.

In security and surveillance, IR LEDs play a pivotal role in enabling clear imaging in low-light or nighttime environments without visible illumination, thereby supporting discreet operations. Infrared illumination is also crucial in industrial and warehouse automation, where sensors use IR light for motion detection, positioning, and tracking. Meanwhile, agriculture and food processing sectors are deploying IR LED-powered sensors for monitoring plant health, moisture content, and contaminant detection. These highly specialized use cases are driving the need for tailored IR LED modules with specific wavelengths, beam angles, and power outputs, leading to greater segmentation and customization across industries.

What’s Fueling Growth in This Technologically Focused Market?

The growth in the infrared LED market is driven by several factors tied to application-specific requirements, technological advancements, and infrastructure modernization. The integration of biometric security features into a wide array of consumer devices - particularly mobile phones, smart locks, and payment systems - is generating significant demand for high-efficiency NIR LEDs. Additionally, the proliferation of automotive driver assistance systems (ADAS) and in-cabin monitoring solutions is boosting the need for robust, automotive-grade IR emitters that can function reliably under fluctuating temperatures and lighting conditions.

Rising automation across sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, and retail is another key driver. IR LEDs support the functionality of barcode readers, proximity sensors, and robotics vision systems that are critical to Industry 4.0 operations. Furthermore, the adoption of smart surveillance systems in urban infrastructure and industrial plants is prompting investments in IR-enhanced security cameras capable of 24/7 performance. Emerging applications in medical diagnostics, environmental sensing, and gesture recognition are also contributing to market growth, particularly as AI and IoT technologies enable more complex and interactive user interfaces. Backed by sustained innovation in packaging, efficiency, and thermal management, IR LEDs are cementing their role as indispensable components in tomorrow’s intelligent systems.

Report Scope

The report analyzes the Infrared LEDs market, presented in terms of market value (US$ Thousand). The analysis covers the key segments and geographic regions outlined below.

Segments: Spectral Range (Short-wave Infrared LED, Medium-wave Infrared LED, Long-wave infrared LED); Technology (Gallium Arsenide, Aluminum Gallium Arsenide, Indium Gallium Arsenide, Gallium Antimonide, Others); Application, (Biometrics, Imaging, Lighting, Communication, Surveillance, Other applications); End-Use, (Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, BFSI, Consumer Electronics, Education, Healthcare, Industrial, Retail)

Geographic Regions/Countries: World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Key Insights:

• Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Short-wave Infrared LED segment, which is expected to reach US$1.0 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 11.3%. The Medium-wave Infrared LED segment is also set to grow at 14.0% CAGR over the analysis period.
• Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, estimated at $240.1 Million in 2024, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 16.8% CAGR to reach $375.1 Million by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Why You Should Buy This Report:

• Detailed Market Analysis: Access a thorough analysis of the Global Infrared LEDs Market, covering all major geographic regions and market segments.
• Competitive Insights: Get an overview of the competitive landscape, including the market presence of major players across different geographies.
• Future Trends and Drivers: Understand the key trends and drivers shaping the future of the Global Infrared LEDs Market.
• Actionable Insights: Benefit from actionable insights that can help you identify new revenue opportunities and make strategic business decisions.

Key Questions Answered:

• How is the Global Infrared LEDs Market expected to evolve by 2030?
• What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market?
• Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period?
• How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030?
• Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects?

Report Features:

• Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2024 to 2030.
• In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.
• Company Profiles: Coverage of players such as ams-OSRAM AG, Boston Electronics Corporation, Broadcom Inc., DOWA Electronics Materials Co., Ltd., Edison Opto Corporation and more.
• Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Select Competitors (Total 47 Featured):

• ams-OSRAM AG
• Boston Electronics Corporation
• Broadcom Inc.
• DOWA Electronics Materials Co., Ltd.
• Edison Opto Corporation
• Epileds Technologies, Inc.
• Epistar Corporation
• Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Excelitas Technologies Corp.
• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
• High Power Lighting Corporation
• Kingbright Company, LLC
• Lextar Electronics Corporation
• Lite-On Technology Corporation
• Lumileds Holding B.V.
• Nichia Corporation
• Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
• Ushio America, Inc.
• Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
• Würth Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG

Tariff Impact Analysis: Key Insights for 2025

Global tariff negotiations across 180+ countries are reshaping supply chains, costs, and competitiveness. This report reflects the latest developments as of April 2025 and incorporates forward-looking insights into the market outlook.

The analysts continuously track trade developments worldwide, drawing insights from leading global economists and over 200 industry and policy institutions, including think tanks, trade organizations, and national economic advisory bodies. This intelligence is integrated into forecasting models to provide timely, data-driven analysis of emerging risks and opportunities.

What’s Included in This Edition:

• Tariff-adjusted market forecasts by region and segment
• Analysis of cost and supply chain implications by sourcing and trade exposure
• Strategic insights into geographic shifts

Buyers receive a free July 2025 update with:

• Finalized tariff impacts and new trade agreement effects
• Updated projections reflecting global sourcing and cost shifts
• Expanded country-specific coverage across the industry