Global e-book reader sales in 2010 are expected to reach 10 million units at least, and the forecast for 2011 is upward adjusted from 18 million units originally, to 20-25 million units, according to chairman Scott Liu for Taiwan-based E Ink Holdings.
Current supply of EPD panels for e-book readers and FFS panels for smartphone and tablet PCs is shorter than demand in the market. Liu added that the proportion of TFT array backend panels from Chimei Innolux (CMI) has exceed the proportion of its in-house production, and EIH plans to increase outsourcing of TFT array backend panels to other panel makers in November due to surging demand for both EPD and FFS.
Market observers are expected to adjust upward the estimated shipments of e-book readers in 2011 of 18 million, and the e-book reader market in 2011 will increase 2-2.5 fold on year, equivalent to about 20-25 million units.
In terms of FFS panels, orders from first-tier vendors started shipping in September and shipments are expected to increase significant in the fourth quarter. Orders from first-tier vendors are the major revenue sources of Hydis, Liu noted.
Article translated by Yvonne Yu
