Two Korea-based panel makers' 8.5G fabs in China will reportedly focus on production of 48- and 49-inch TV panels, according to industry sources.
Both LG Display and Samsung Display will each have a 8.5G fab that will be used for producing the panel sizes, with Samsung's expected to mass produce the panels by the end of 2013 and LG sometime in 2014, the sources said.
LG and Samsung are expected to have around 97-98% yields, an increase over the 92-96% utilization rates the two makers saw for producing 46- and 47-inch panels, the sources added.
Aside from reaching higher yields producing the two sizes, both panel makers are choosing to produce the 48- and 49-inch units as part of their future strategy to compete with other panel makers who produce 46-, 47- and 50-inch units, the sources noted.
China-based panel makers have reportedly been quick to hear the panel makers' plans, the sources said, adding that both BOE and CEC-Panda LCD Technology have plans to produce 48-inch TV panels by the end of 2013.
Taiwan-based TV panel makers meanwhile do not have plans to produce the two panel sizes and instead will remain focused on 50-inch TV panel production, the sources added.
Article translated by Alex Wolfgram
