Posted on Friday, October 31 2008 @ 4:00 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Samsung
announced it plans to build an 11G LCD fab as early as 2010-2011:
Speaking at FPD International 2008, Chang revealed that the size of the 11G substrate, as it is being planned now, will be 3320x3000mm, with economic cuts of six 72-inch panels, eight 62-inch ones, 15 46-inch ones, or 18 40-inch ones. The 11G fab will be near Samsung's present 8G plant, Chang added.
Chang said the present economic downturn is sending many players worrying about the future of the LCD industry. But the future of the industry relies on the players' capabilities of developing new applications and growth momentum, he said. Samsung has pointed out that current estimations put the LCD TV market at a shipment size of 208 million units and sales of US$50 billion by 2012. But the company predicts higher LCD TV sales (250 million units and US$60 billion by 2012) if end products can offer better integration of functionalities, better designs, and more features.
Samsung is looking to expand its share of the LCD TV market. In order to make maximum its production, Samsung will also use its 8G capacity for monitor panel production and its 7G capacity for notebook panels, Chang said.
