TFT LCD manufacturers are expecting 2012 global shipments of large-area panels for public display applications to break the $1billion mark for the first time.
This represents a revenue increase of 26% although unit shipments are only predicted
to grow 3% to 2.6million units, according to data from NPD DisplaySearch.
"The growth in
shipments and revenue this year shows that the TFT LCD industry is recovering from
price declines and supply chain inventory adjustments, although the recovery looks very modest," said David
Hsieh, vice president, Greater China Market for NPD DisplaySearch.
Hsieh added, "Panel makers are
quickly adapting to the shifts in demand and developing new technologies, features, and sizes. Chinese
LCD makers are rapidly increasing production, and Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese manufacturers are restructuring
and deploying new technologies and processes to improve costs and display performance. It is clear
that the TFT LCD industry has not yet reached maturity but is simply entering a new chapter."