LCD capacity to reach 200million m² in 2013
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Sales of tft lcd manufacturing equipment are expected to exceed $11.6billion in 2008 – an increase of 40% over 2007 – says market researcher DisplaySearch. It also believes sales will remain at a similar level through 2009.
According to the company, active matrix tft lcd manufacturing capacity is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 34%, reaching 209million m² in 2013.
DisplaySearch’s vp of Manufacturing Research Charles Annis said: “2007 turned out to be an excellent year for tft lcd panel makers. Unfortunately, it was a very challenging year for equipment companies, who generated only $8.3bn, down 35% from 2006. These dynamics of reduced investment and healthy panel maker earnings, coupled with continued strong demand, are now setting 2008 up to be a bumper year for almost all segments of the lcd industry and a reversal of fortune for equipment companies.”
The company claims 46 fab investments are forecast between the start of Q3 2007 and the end of Q3 2010. Eight of these will be for low temperature polysilicon lines, conversions of a-Si to p-Si or expansions of current capacity.
An example is Corning, which is planning mass production of lcd panels for large tvs at a new fab in Japan by March 2010. The $795m investment will allow the plant to produce Gen10 substrates measuring 2.85 x 3.05m – the largest substrate available.
