According to market research firm DisplayBank, LG.Philips LCD has fixed the standard size of eighth-generation substrates, the next-generation LCD glass, as the world's largest '2200x2500mm', longer than 2m.
An industry expert stated yesterday, "LG.Philips LCD has finally decided its 8G standard size as 2200x2500mm optimized for 47-inch and 55-inch panel products, after mulling over so far."
"LG.Philips LCD expects that this decision will lead to intensified competition between us and Samsung Electronics in the 40-inch range market using 7G fabrication lines."
The new 8G fabrication line is capable of producing eight units of 47-inch panels or six units of 55-inch panels, and opts for lager size substrates than Japan's Sharp, who plans to move into mass production at the world's first 8G line in the second half of this year, and Samsung Electronics, who will bring the 2160x2460mm substrates to its 8G facility.
Although LG.Philips LCD's 8G standard size is only 4cm higher than that of Samsung and Sharp, it would allow stronger competitiveness in efficiency when manufacturing 32, 47 and 55-inch panels.
In case of 32-inch panels, rolled by both electronics giants, Samsung Electronics is able to generate 15 units at its 8G plant, while LG.Philips LCD has capability of producing 18 units, giving LPL 20% higher efficiency.
In addition, LPL is offered 33% and 100% higher efficiency than Samsung when working on 47-inch and 55-inch panels, respectively, which is calculated from processed six units of 47-inch panels or three units of 55-inch panels by Samsung, and eight units and six units, respectively, by LPL. This means that LG.Philips LCD's standard size will make more profits.
However, the market cannot rule out the possibilities that Samsung Electronics and Sharp will also shift their standard sizes toward LPL's one through equipment size adjustment.