Philips Electronics is optimistic about LED lighting sales as the technology gains popularity worldwide.
Olivier Piccolin, a senior vice-president and emerging markets general manager for Philips Lighting, said global demand for LED lighting increases each year.
LED products were 18% of global lighting sales in 2011, up from 14% in 2010, he said.
"Last year was the turning point for LED lighting. The popularity of LED will continue to rise as quality and performance including lighting intensity and colour rendering improve," he said.
In Asia, demand for LED products comes primarily from customers seeking energy-efficient solutions, said Piccolin.
LED products can use 80% less electricity than conventional bulbs, and they are long-lasting and easy to use.
Mr Piccolin said Japan is the best LED market in Asia.
With the threat of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, that country's government and private sector are working together to reduce energy consumption.
Other countries and territories with high usage rates are Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore.
Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand use LED lighting at medium-to-high rates.
Thanakorn Wongwises, the general manger for lighting at Philips Electronics (Thailand), said demand was fuelled initially by businesses attracted to the energy saving, durability and reasonable payback periods offered by LED products.
Customers are restaurant chains, hotels and retail operators such as Tesco Lotus, MK Suki and Fuji Restaurant.
Talad Tesco, Tesco Lotus' small store format, has replaced their fluorescent tubes with Philips LED bulbs.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has selected Philips GreenVision LEDs for road lighting at the Srinakarin Dam in Kanchanaburi province.
Thailand's overall lighting market is worth 7 billion baht and grew by 4%.
LED lighting has a 12% market share, expected to increase to 45-50% by 2015.