China-based BOE Technology started volume production at its 8.5G LCD panel plant at the end of September to become the world's sixth largest maker. It is now eager to surpass Sharp to become the global number five LCD panel maker, according to industry sources.
BOE has announced that its first 8.5G plant entered mass production on September 27, 2011. Glass substrates processed by the plant are expected to reach 90,000 sheets per month with annual output of 13 million units. With the latest addition, the company now has capacity to produce panels ranging from 1.8- to 55-inch.
Industry sources commented that BOE has been actively expanding its capacity although panel industry have suffered losses due to oversupply. BOE is reportedly planning a second 8.5G production line, so as to surpass Sharp to become the world's fifth largest panel maker, they said, adding that the schedule for the second 8.%G plant has not been set.
The sources added that BOE currently lags behind Samsung Electronics, LG Display (LGD), Chimei Innolux (CMI), AU Optronics (AUO) and Sharp.
BOE's total revenues from its 4.5G, 5G, 6G and 8.5G lines in 2011 may exceed CNY10 billion (US$1.57 billion), with an on-year growth of over 20%, the sources noted.
Amid sliding demand for large-area panels, Sharp has recently placed more emphasis on small- to medium- size panels, said the sources. Sharp does not have plans to expand large panel capacity in the near future, they added.
Article translated by Joy Wan
