In addition to reaching 90% yields for a-Si displays, China panel makers are also ramping up production of AMOLED, Ultra HD (4K) and IGZO applications to meet demand from high-end markets.
China makers want to increase their presence in all segments and are showing signs they aim to compete in higher-end markets as demand in China continues to grow. For TV panels, high color gamut, curved, 4K and AMOLED are some of the main applications worth noting and mass production of 8K displays is set to take off in order to stay ahead of market trends.
BOE in particular has already reached 100% yields for 55-inch 4K TV panels and has already begun mass producing WRGB OLED displays at 8.5G facilities in Chongqing, China. The maker is also working on mass producing 98- and 110-inch 8K panels.
Moreover, Sigmaintell Consulting has found that BOE is soon to begin mass producing OLED smartphone displays including flexible OLED production while fellow maker China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) has begun mass producing OLED handset displays.
In terms of LTPS technology, China makers will have five LTPS lines dedicated to small- to medium-size panel production as of 2016 while CEC Panda is developing IGZO solutions on its 8.5G facilities.
China panel makers' shipments of small- to medium-size panels in the second half of 2015 are expected to grow 15.5% over the first half of the year, which will also represent a 6.7% on-year increase, according to Digitimes Research. BOE is continuing to push forward production of tablet panels on its 8.5G facilities and is increasing its production proportion of handset panels on 6G production lines. CEC Panda meanwhile is continuing to increase mass production of small- to medium-size panels while Tianma Optoelectronics 5.5G facilities will run at full capacity.
