With Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) scheduled to begin volume production at two LCD panel plants in 2007, leading glass substrate suppliers including Asahi Glass, Nippon Electric Glass (NHG), NH Techno Glass (NHT), Corning and Schott, are vying to secure the upcoming glass-substrate orders from CMO, according to market sources.
The two LCD panel plants include the first-phase of CMO's 7.5G plant, which is scheduled to commence commercial production by the end of the second quarter of 2007, with a capacity of 50,000 glass substrates.
The second plant is CMO's 6G plant, which is slated for commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2007, with a designed capacity of 90,000 substrates, the sources added.
Asahi is expected to be able to win the glass orders for CMO's 7.5G plant, as the company is building its third glass plant in Tainan, southern Taiwan, with the planned substrate production being for 7.5G LCD plants, the sources stated. CMO's two plants will also be located in the Tainan region.
Article translated by Steve Shen and edited by Michael McManus
