(Nikkei BP Group)
(No.1 High-Tech News Site in Japanese)
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| Demand for LCD Color Filters to Reach 90 Bln Yen by 2001
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January 5, 1999 (TAIPEI) -- Demand for color filters, which comprise
a key component of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, is expected
to rise at a brisk pace in the coming years.
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Global demand for color filters is estimated at 70 billion yen in 1998,
and could reach 90 billion yen by 2001, an industry source said.
Taiwan will soon become the second largest color filter supplier after
Japan, as an increasing number of local technology firms make inroads
into the sector, according to industry analysts.
Chi Mei Electronics Corp., a high-tech arm of Chi Mei Enterprise, recently
unveiled the first Taiwan-made color filter for STN-LCD panels. A company
spokesman said that market demand is expected to grow at up to 25 percent
a year.
At least five Taiwan-based firms plan to make large TFT-LCDs. They are
Unipac Optoelectronics Corp., Chung Hwa Picture Tubes Ltd., Chi Mei
Optoelectronics Corp., Acer Display Technology Inc. and Hann Star Display
Corp. The total production capacity of the five firms will require a
minimum of 150,000 color filters a month, or 1.8 million a year. These
numbers do not include color filters for smaller TFT-LCDs or for STN-LCDs.
Until recently, domestic makers have obtained color filters from foreign
suppliers.
Four domestic companies are completing research and development on color
filters, and are ready to ramp up manufacturing.
Everest Technology Inc. has decided to set aside a large portion of the
capacity of its number one fab for STN color filter production. The
company's number two fab will focus on large-size filters for TFT-LCD
panels.
Nan Ya Technology Corp. has a production line focusing on STN color filters,
making 300mm x 400mm products.
(Commercial Times, Taiwan)
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