LCD Cluster in Southern Taiwan Science Park – Growing Strong and Steady

The LCD cluster, led by Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) in Southern Taiwan Science Park, demonstrates a success story of how STSP helps to create a strong manufacturing base/supply chain for the tenant enterprises.CMO, now the top 4 LCD panel makers in the world, successfully made a transition from petrochemical-based industry to high–tech LCD field in STSP.

Amid the economic recession, CMO announced its combined June 2009 TFT-LCD related revenues (2) of NT$ 26.7 billion, an increase of 15.3% compared with last month. CMO also had a record for its monthly large-sized shipments, with approximately 7.2 million panels shipped in June, an increase of 13.1% over the previous month. Small and medium-sized shipments totaled 12.5 million panels, an increase of 13.5%.

Showing the sign of recovery, it is expected that CMO will resume its investment plan to build an 8.5 generation production facility in the KaohsiungSciencePark.The factory is expected to become a driver in the market for LCD panel products over 50 inches.

In the second quarter 2009, CMO reported combined TFT-LCD related revenues of NT$ 70.3 billion, a 58.8% increase over the NT$ 44.3 billion in the first quarter 2009. The second quarter's shipment of 19.1 million large-sized panels, a 44.3% increase over the 13.3 million panels shipped in the first quarter, is a good sign for the LCD cluster in STSP. CMO also shipped 35.4 million small and medium-sized panels, a 52.3% increase over the 23.2 million panels shipped in the previous quarter.

FIG.1 CMO base in Southern Taiwan Science Park

Courtesy: PIDA

Since Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) honored with R&D 100 Award last year for its on-chip AC LED lighting technology, to establish valuable patent portfolio including AC LED's design, processing, packaging and applications has become an important mission for Taiwan LED players.

ITRI assembled several Taiwanese LED companies to create an AC LED Application Research Alliance in late 2008, and then soon began the cooperation with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to give verification to ITRI's AC LED modules and components under UL's Subject 8750. In 2009, the alliance further worked with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and submitted the world's first AC LED technology draft standard to International Commission on Illumination (CIE) in May 2008.

Echoing to ITRI's AC LED Application Research Alliance, the project of "Ultra Slim AC LED Fixture Technology Development and Research Alliance" also passed the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) by Ministry of Economic Affairs. With efforts putting into core technology, patent, and international certification, Taiwan aims to take a lead in the global market of AC LED.

The 11th Flat Panel Display Exposition- hosted by four leading industry groups – PIDA, SEMI, TAITRA and TCA, has once again highlighted Taiwan's dominant position in the FPD industry.

As last year's display show only lightly touched upon the e-paper and touch panel products, this year these products are in the main spotlight, as are considered to be the most noticeable and rapidly-growing markets. According to PIDA statistics, the number of manufacturers that enter e-paper and touch panel industry have greatly increased since last year, showing a great diversity in the market in the 2nd half of 2009.

Regarding the e-paper, AUO has produced an E-book reader, featuring a screen size of 6 inches, a pixel count of 800 x 600 and a resolution of 167dpi, 16 gray levels, a reflectance of 27% (including the touch panel) and a contrast ratio of 8:1. AUO demonstrated the function by easily touching the screen which would turn the page.

FIG.2 Photo taken in Display Taiwan 2009

Courtesy: PIDA