Rebecca Kuo, Tainan; Joy Wan

 

BOE Technology's (BOE) first 8.5G TFT LCD panel production line began trial operations in June 2011 and is expected to enter mass production in October. According to industry sources, BOE has been developing high-end products and may begin production of 3D TV panels using film patterned retarder (FPR) technology at the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012.

The 8.5G plant can make products with yield rates over 80%, the Chinese-language xinhuanet.com cited the company as saying on September 20, 2011. But the industry sources remain skeptical about the claim.

The sources revealed that BOE has transferred its CNY8 billion (US$1.25 billion) rights to excavate coals in Ordos, China to large-scale energy firms and strategic investors, a move that may enhance its finances to cope with possible difficulties runing the panel business in the next two to three years.

BOE announced earlier in the year to invest CNY22 billion to set up a 5.5G AMOLED panel plant in Ordos. In return the company was granted a coal excavation right in the area, the sources said.

BOE reportedly has been developing flat panels employing advanced manufacturing technologies, including 3D, low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS), and AMOLED. Its FPR 3D panels are said to debut in fourth-quarter 2011 or first-quarter 2012. Panel sizes are available in 32-, 46- and 55-inch.

BOE reportedly plans to release modules for 240Hz 3D TV in fourth-quarter 2011 and 480Hz products in 2012, according to the sources.

The sources forecast BOE's 8.5G plant to process 15,000 sheets of glass substrates in October 2011. The output may be lifted further to 30,000 sheets per month by the end of 2011, they said. The plant is expected to become fully operated with an output of 90,000 sheets by second-quarter 2012.