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ePaper created 2015-05-06, 08:22:31 | version 1.38.0
28 Business performance The Specialty Light Sources business group generated revenue of €137.3 million, which was on a par with the previous year (down by 0.2 percent). A steep decline in the market for UV system solutions for displays could not be offset by growth in the other segments. The business group therefore fell well short of its own expectations. Revenue from infrared products improved slightly in 2014. The principal growth drivers were the markets for digital printing in Asia and for surface coating in the USA. The level of business in the key automotive and plastics pro- cessing markets remained stable in spite of a deteriorating investment climate. Last year, there were substantial variations in individual markets in the business with UV systems and lamps. In the displays market, demand for UV system solutions fell very heavily because of high overcapacities, which resulted in a sharp decline in prices. The very cautious investment climate for optical fibers caused business in this market to drop off significantly. By contrast, envi- ronmental applications did very well. Revenue from UV treatment of ballast water in ships also went up steeply. In the UV curing segment, revenue from LED systems saw another substantial year-on-year increase thanks to the stepping up of customer-specific collaborations. A further expansion of the product range and the inte- gration of marketing activities into the global UV sales network marked a continuation of the strategy of targeting a broader customer base with innovative LED systems. In 2014, the Specialty Light Sources business group focused on implementing a concept for consolidating its manufacturing landscape. It had largely completed this by the end of the year. Specialty Light Sources business group Heraeus Noblelight Heraeus Noblelight is the world’s leading provider of systems, modules, and special lamps with wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared for applications in industry, environmental protection, and healthcare. At sites in Germany, the UK, China, and the USA, the business group manufactures – with a high degree of vertical integration – infrared and UV-based solutions for industrial heating processes and surface engineering, specialty light sources for analytical measurement technology and the printing industry, laser excitation lamps, and products for water and surface disinfection, air treatment and sun simulation. Product revenue € million 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 137.6 137.3 92.5 103.0 98.9