AUSTIN, TEXAS, June 16, 2009—Production of TFT LCD panels is continuously evolving, as different panels of different sizes and applications are made on the most appropriate generation fabs based on utilization and cost efficiency. In unit terms, 34.3% of large-area (10”+) TFT LCD panels were made on Gen 7 lines in Q1’09, up from 32.5% in Q4’08, according to the latest DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area Production Strategy Report. DisplaySearch defines Gen 7 to include 1870 × 2200 mm and 1950 × 2250 mm (defined by some as Gen 7.5) substrate sizes.

In Q1’09, 2.3% of all panels were produced on Gen 4 and below, 24.4% on Gen 5, 4.4% on Gen 5.5, 23.9% on Gen 6, 34.3% on Gen 7, and 10.8% on Gen 8, in unit terms (see Table 1). TFT LCD makers are shifting more production to larger fabs. In Q1’10, the share of large-area TFT LCD panels produced on Gen 8 lines (which DisplaySearch defines to include 2160 × 2460 mm and 2200 × 2500 mm sizes) will increase to 19.4%, and 2.8% will be produced on Gen 10 lines.

Table 1: Large Area TFT LCD Production Unit Share by Fab Generation

Source: DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area Production Strategy Report