Cree Expands Broadest Portfolio of Lighting-Class LEDs Optimized for Distributed Illumination

Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), a market leader in LED lighting, announces the commercial availability of the XLamp^® ML-B LED. Designed for quarter-watt operation, the XLamp ML-B LED brings lighting-class performance to distributed lighting applications where the light source is visible, such as panel lights and LED-based fluorescent tube replacements.

Lighting manufacturers have tried to achieve a uniform lighting appearance by placing many low-power LEDs in close proximity under a diffuser. This use of typical low-power LEDs will not enable manufacturers to meet rigorous ENERGY STAR requirements or customer's expectations. In contrast, Cree ML-B LEDs are designed to last 50,000 hours and to provide the lighting-class levels of efficacy, thermal resistance and reliability that can enable ENERGY STAR®-qualified fixtures.

“The innovative ML-B LED delivers lighting-class performance with the smooth, uniform appearance that lighting manufacturers want for distributed lighting applications,” said Paul Thieken, Cree director of marketing, LED components. “The ML-B LED provides the right balance of lumen output, footprint, efficacy and value for direct-view lighting.”

The XLamp ML-B LED delivers luminous flux up to 30 lm at 80 mA in cool white (5000K) and up to 24 lm in warm white (3000K). The ML-B LED shares the same footprint and package with the XLamp ML-E LED, and like the ML-E, provides uniform color over angle and a 120 degree viewing angle.

XLamp ML-B LEDs are available now in sample and production quantities. To locate a distributor, please visit www.cree.com/buyxlamp.

About Cree

Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications.

Cree’s product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices. Cree solutions are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, backlighting, electronic signs and signals, variable-speed motors, and wireless communications.

For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com. To learn more about the LED Lighting Revolution, please visit www.creeledrevolution.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the risk we may encounter delays or other difficulties in ramping up production of our new products; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render Cree’s products obsolete; and other factors discussed in Cree’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 2010, and subsequent filings.

Cree and XLamp are registered trademarks of Cree, Inc.

ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.