Is UVC LED Technology Ready for Real-World UV Curing?

In the October 2025 issue of Converter magazine, Roy Kayser, Senior Manager of Global Applications & Custom Projects at Excelitas, examines whether UVC LED technology is ready for real-world UV curing applications. Drawing on recent advancements in efficiency, lifetime and manufacturability, the article explains how UVC LEDs have matured into a viable complement to established UVA LED curing systems for demanding industrial processes.

Longer UVA and UVV wavelengths provide deep through-cure in inks, coatings and adhesives, while shorter UVC wavelengths are absorbed at the surface, addressing oxygen inhibition and enabling a dry, tack-free finish. The article notes that insufficient through-cure can compromise adhesion, while inadequate UVC exposure can leave surfaces greasy or under-cured.

The article also highlights significant technological progress in UVC LEDs over the past decade. Improvements in epitaxial growth, substrate materials, chip architecture and packaging have increased wall-plug efficiency and extended operational lifetimes, reducing historical barriers related to heat management, reliability and cost of ownership.

Read the full article, “Is UVC LED Technology Ready for Real-World UV Curing?,” in Converter magazine to learn how combining UVC and UVA energy can deliver superior surface cure, reduce total dose requirements and enable manufacturers to enhance curing performance without modifying legacy formulations.