LCD panel costs to drop 67%, flat panel display yearbook reports

LCD executives expect “to cut manufacturing costs to one-third of current levels over the next five years” according to a recent analysis of the market by noted Japanese economic expert Naoki Tanaka.

By Control Engineering Staff June 9, 2005

LCD executives expect “to cut manufacturing costs to one-third of current levels over the next five years” according to a recent analysis of the market by noted Japanese economic expert Naoki Tanaka. Tanaka’s observation was reported in Nikkei Microdevices’ Flat Panel Display 2005 Yearbook . The publication, just released in its English-language translation, is said to be an essential source of insights into Japanese and Asian strategies for flat-panel-display development. Tanaka’s remarks were part of his introduction in the 2005 edition, in which he analyzes market trends and upcoming benchmarks.

The trends analysis is backed by extensive data and interviews with senior executives from the major Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and mainland Chinese manufacturers of LCDs, plasma displays, microdisplays, and similar products, says Interlingua, provider of translation and international intelligence services and translator of the yearbook. It reports the next five years will be marked by a flat-panel explosion, the end of CRT television, and intense competition among plasma, projection, and new-technology displays.

Other topics discussed in the yearbook include image-quality comparisons of technologies and companies, details of new and improved display technologies, expansion of the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display market beyond cell phones, and aggressive manufacturing innovations for direct-view technologies such as flat lamps for backlights and LED backlights. The English-language edition is available on CD-ROM for $995.

A detailed contents outline and order information are available on line .

—Jeanine Katzel, senior editor, Control Engineering, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com