Epson gears up production of polysilicon TFT LCDs

Epson announced the on-schedule start up of production at its new Chitose

Plant in Hokkaido, Japan. The plant is dedicated to producing high-temperature

polysilicon TFT LCDs (HTPS panels) for projection systems. The new production

lines will produce HTPS panels for advanced 3LCD projectors and 3LCD projection

TVs on 300-mm (12-inch) quartz glass wafers, a first for Epson.

Demand for HTPS panels used in business projectors has been steadily rising

along with increased demand for presentations in business and, more recently,

increased projector use in the education market. Meanwhile, the spread of DVD

players and digital broadcasts has sparked burgeoning consumer demand for front

projectors and large-screen 3LCD projection TVs for the home. Demand for 3LCD

projection TVs has been especially pronounced in North America, and from last

year, in Japan.

Epson is the worldwide leader in data projectors (2003) as per Decision Tree

Consulting. In India, Epson is ranked second with a market share of 14% and

close to achieving the top position. The demand for projectors in India has been

growing rapidly and Epson has doubled its sale in the last one year. Demand in

India is being driven primarily by the corporate and educational segments.

Epson is currently manufacturing HTPS panels on 200-mm (8-inch) wafers at its

Suwa Minami Plant in Fujimi, Nagano Prefecture. However, with demand predicted

to outstrip capacity, Epson decided to begin full operations at the Chitose fab

to secure a stable supply for its popular product.

3LCD is the most popular projection system in the world. Using its

proprietary liquid crystal and high aperture-ratio technologies, Epson has

established industry-leading levels of light efficiency, brightness, color

reproduction, resolution and energy efficiency in its HTPS panels. This

expertise has established it as the world's leading provider of HTPS panels

and also of 3LCD projectors.

The Chitose plant will provide Epson with its first opportunity to apply its

new HTPS production technology for 300-mm quartz glass wafers. The plant's

initial capacity will be 2,000 wafers per month, but this will be ramped up as

necessary to meet demand.

With its original and highly efficient production technologies, Epson

believes that it will contribute to the further growth of the market for 3LCD

front-type projectors and 3LCD projection TVs.

IBRAHIM AHMAD



(The author was hosted in Hokkaido, Japan by Epson)