LG to start mass production of 32-inch OLED TVs in 2011

With construction of the fab shell already completed, LG Display schedules to begin volume production by March 2009. P8 will initially focus on 32-, 47-, 52- and 57-inch LCD TV panels on a glass substrate size of 2,200mm×2,500mm. In contrast to 8G lines traditionally being utilized for 50-inch and above production, growing flexibility means there is potential to produce 32-inch panels at 8G lines also, highlighted LG Display. Actual capacity distribution will depend on demand, the company noted.

LG Display's rivals including S-LCD, AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), all have plants for 2,200×2,500mm glass substrate production. Among these players, S-LCD has already started volume production, whereas AUO and CMO will only start equipment installation in late 2008. Based on LG Display's equipment move-in schedule, the Korea-based panel maker is expected to have its 8G panels available 2-3 quarters ahead of its Taiwan rivals.

In addition to investment in next-generation production lines, LG Display has also deployed into the development of AMOLED panels. Despite that AMOLED is mostly applied in small-size panels, LG Display said it would continue investing in the large-size segment, with volume production of 32-inch OLED TVs scheduled for 2011.