Mar 14 2008
The worldwide market for array processing equipment for TFT-LCDs will increase 20% in 2008 after dropping 36.5% in 2007, according to the report LCD Device, Equipment, and Materials Markets: Technology Directions and Market analysis, recently published by The Information Network, a New Tripoli, PA-based market research company.
"The LCD equipment market was in a tailspin in the past two years, dropping 50% since 2006,” notes Dr. Robert N. Castellano, President of The Information Network. “The lithography sector will make up all its lost ground in 2008, growing 56% following a 48% drop in 2007.”
Equipment in 2008 is slated for CMO’s 8.5G plant in Kaohsiung Science Park, Taiwan and AUO’s 8.5G facility in Taichung, Taiwan.
The supply glut experienced in 2006 and 2007 will turn into an industry-wide supply shortage in the second half of 2008 as demand outstrips supply by 6.5% for the year. Large area panel shipments will grow 19% in 2008 on top of a 34% growth in 2007. On an area basis shipments will reach 67 million square meters in 2008, a growth of 28.5%.
Uncertainty with the U.S. economy, the largest consumer market in the world, will impact CapEx spending in 2008. Equally important, composite leading indicators signal a weakening outlook for most major global economies.