Sony has geared up its efforts to promote its ultra large-size Crystal LED (CLED) displays in the Taiwan market, targeting the premium large-size display segment for customized applications in the fields including commercial buildings, galleries and fashion exhibitions, according to industry sources...

BenQ Materials is striving to ramp up sales of its hydrophobic contact lenses, making the medical care business a new growth driver in addition to incumbent polarizer products, according to company sources.

A recent announcement stating that Japan Display (JDI) has struck a deal to accept a JPY60 billion (US$535.98 million) investment from a consortium formed by Taiwan- and China-based companies signals that Japan is retreating from the global flat panel industry.

Taiwan-based makers in the panel supply chain, including those producing OLED panels, polarizers, chemicals and masks, are gearing up efforts to develop related materials for the production of foldable smartphones, according to industry sources.

Backlit unit (BLU) makers Radiant Optoelectronics and Coretronic have both reported strong sales for March, driven by robust BLU orders for Apple's 7.9-inch iPad mini and 10.5-inch iPad Air, according to industry sources.

Driver-IC backend firm Chipbond Technology is set to land COF packaging orders from Apple for a LCD-based iPhone device to be launched in 2019, allowing it to continue enjoying brisk sales in the second quarter, according to industry sources.

Touch panel makers General Interface Solution (GIS) and TPK Holding have both reported better-than-expected sales for March, defying the adverse impact of seasonality.

Taiwan-based display and touch solution providers HannsTouch Solution and Emerging Display Technologies (EDT) are expected to receive more windfall orders in 2019 as clients of the financially-troubled Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) are seeking new suppliers, according to industry sources.

Mini LED backlighting applications will be mostly adopted for gaming LCD monitors in 2019, with demand to take off in the second half of the year, according to industry sources.

Touch panel solution provider Young Fast Optoelectronics has reported net profits of NT$119 million (US$3.86 million) for 2018, snapping six straight years of losses, as non-operating income offset losses in its core touch solution business.

Innolux has nominated four candidates for polarizer maker Cheng Mei Materials Technology's board of directors election, as it seeks to stabilize the management of the company's upstream supply chain, according to a company announcement.

At FPD China 2019, more flat panel production equipment and related component suppliers were present, while the number of flat panel makers decreased. But the main focus of its technology forums was still on emerging display technologies, in particular foldable AMOLED.

E-paper solution provider E Ink Holdings (EIH) has reported that its earnings hit a 7-year high in 2018 thanks to robust demand for its electronic shelf label (ESL) products.

Taiwan-based FineMat Applied Materials, a maker of common metal masks (CMM) needed for OLED panel production, is actively expanding capacity to meet increasing demand for OLED applications and expects its 2019 revenues to grow 20-30% on year, according to company sources.

Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) will be delisted from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) as the net worth of its shares has turned negative. But the company will keep its 6G LCD line, paving the way for its future rebirth.

E Ink Holding (EIH) will team up with its hardware and software partners to tap into the global medical display industry after achieving significant results from promoting its e-paper medical display solutions into local hospitals in Taiwan.

Huawei has deepened its deployments in related multimedia chips and will target TV terminal products as the second main application market after smartphones for the buildup of its smart consumer ecosystem, according to sources from Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain.

Polarizer maker Cheng Mei Materials Technology has requested debt negotiations with creditor banks as its production has been stymied due to a lack of revolving funds, according to a company announcement.

Apple has recently released its new iPad Air and iPad mini, but sources from the upstream supply chain have pointed out that the new tablets' shipments are unlikely to pick up until the second-quarter 2018.

E-paper solution provider E Ink Holdings (EIH) has reported net profits of NT$2.613 billion (US$84.84 million) for 2018 although revenues were down 6.5% on year to NT$14.208 billion.

General Interface Solution (GIS) is likely to be able to ramp up shipments of its in-display fingerprint sensors to Samsung Electronics starting the second quarter of 2019 after related shipments were delayed in the first quarter due to a yield rate issue, according to industry sources.

Speculation has circulated recently in Taiwan's industry about a new company that will be set up jointly by the local LCD panel and driver IC companies to specialize in the manufacture of chip-on-film (COF) substrates.

COF substrate makers plan to adjust upward quotes for the second quarter by 8-15% sequentially to reflect their tight supplies, according to market sources.

Taiwan-based General Interface Solution (GIS) and Egis Technology are set to maintain strong sales momentum in the first half of 2019 for ramping up their respective fingerprint sensors to Samsung Electronics, according to industry sources.

Polarizer maker Cheng Mei Materials Technology has said that the installation of production equipment at a new polarizer production line in Kunshan, China has not been disrupted by the recent management dispute at the company.