Taiwan soared to the top of world ranking in 2007 for it production of TFT-LCD panels and module packaging services accounting for an annual revenue of USD 34 billion (NT$1.107 trillion) in production value according to projections by PIDA.

Both in terms of production value and shipment, Taiwan has become the world largest TFT LCD supplier, taking 42% of the global TFT-LCD and module packaging market in 2007, surpassing South Korea's 39 percent. The growth rate of Taiwan's TFT–LCD industry in 2007 rose to 43% compared with that of 2006, higher than the USD 34.51 billion expected for Korea and USD 22.548 billion for Japan. The driving force has been a shortage of panel supply causing a panel price hike and a significant upturn in the manufacturer's profit.

Figure 1 Global TFT-LCD panel market share

Source: PIDA, 2008/01

Taiwan's flat panel display related industry (including LCD panel, materials & components) posted an impressive USD 48.2 billion revenue upturn, with an amazing growth rate of 35%, reversing the single-digit growth in the past few years. The momentum of growth is expected to continue this year.

PIDA forecasts a boost in growth due to rising demand for bigger LCD TV screens and the demand for replacement notebook computer screens. Demand sparked by the Olympic Games is likely to drive growth in shipments of large-area LCD panels used in flat panel TVs.

The mainstream size for TVs is expected to increase to 40 inches or 42 inches this year, 50 inches next year and ultimately 65 inches in 2010. New applications, including digital photo frames, iPhone and its followers, which came out last year, as well as the much-awaited low-cost notebook computers are driving demand for LCD panels.

Display Taiwan 2008 returns to Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center this June and is expected to again rack up record numbers of exhibitors and industry professional visitors. In 2007, this high profile and 'not to be missed' event occupied an exhibition area of 11,725 sq/m with 285 exhibitors, 740 booths and some 27,776 industry professional visitors. The event is focused on display technologies, research and development for the next generation of equipment as well as production technologies for this strong-growth sector. Exhibitors include companies such as AUO, CMO and CPT.

Keynote conferences and seminars will also take place in conjunction with the exhibition covering different technology sectors –among others being OLED, flexible display and touch panel. Display Taiwan 2007 saw over 1,200 industry professionals participate in the conferences and seminars and an increase in participation is also expected for coming event.

Display Taiwan 2008, held in conjunction with the successful trade show Photonics Festival Taiwan, has been organized by PIDA since 1984 thus guaranteeing top international standards and offering exhibitors unique synergy with the industry - especially with visitors. Photonics Festival Taiwan effectively showcases those segments of the Taiwanese opto market with particularly high growth rates. Living proof of the shows success is expressed in those satisfied exhibitors and visitors- 98% of all visitors and 92% of all exhibitors – who said they would recommend the show to their business associates. The two paired events make for an exhibition that is becoming more and more specialized and innovative and one that above all aims to promote photonics.