Extract of Ningbo Sunny IR VP Heqi Ren interview by Yole Développement
Yole Développement recently interviewed Heqi Ren, VP of Ningbo Sunny Infrared Technologies, a Chinese IR optics supplier and subsidiary of Sunny Optical Technology, founded in 2006.
“In 2018, 1.4 million uncooled IR cameras were sold, and this will increase at a 15% compound annual growth rate through to 2024.
“One important component of these cameras is the microbolometer focal plane array, and another is the lens. Generally, each camera uses one or two lenses in low-end markets, but high-end zoom cameras need up to five lenses. As imager prices fall, the optics cost portion will become higher than the imager cost. Thus, optics suppliers will play an increasingly important role in the supply chain. It is noteworthy that China is investing in R&D and ramping up microbolometer production in order to address its domestic thermal imaging market.
“Sunny Infrared are good not only at traditional infrared polishing, diamond turning and coating, but also at melting and precision molding of chalcogenide glass. We are one of the few enterprises in the world to master the know-how range from manufacturing IR materials to designing and producing high-performance thermal imaging lenses. Sunny Optical Technology provide competitive thermal lenses mainly made of chalcogenide glass and germanium with the full range of focal length..
“Automotive IR lenses, as the main technology in night vision, are in great demand for front view and internal monitoring. Regarding its strict requirements for shock, size and imaging, the entire automotive IR system is relatively expensive. It is mainly used in premium cars, extending to mid-range models. In order to promote IR systems to a wider market, the Tier 1 part and system supplier companies have to control the cost of each component and manage to achieve mass production.”
Heqi Ren graduated from Zhejiang University with a master’s degree. He is now the VP of Ningbo Sunny Infrared Technologies, and is in charge of both R&D and sales.
