Large TFT LCD Panel Shipments Set Monthly Records in July, Says IHS

Large thin-film transistor LCD panel shipments set record monthly highs in July in terms of units and area, reported IHS Markit Wednesday. Unit shipments increased 10 percent year-on-year to 64.3 million units, while area shipments jumped 19 percent to 17 million square meters, said IHS. Production at new Chinese LCD display fabs, including the Gen 10.5 plant that BOE is collocating with the Corning glass factory in Hefei (see 1805100002), has increased since Q2, it said. “Despite the growing production, panel makers have maintained the utilization rate and instead tried to push out panel shipments by lowering panel prices in the first half of 2018. That’s one of the reasons that panel shipments are continuously growing.” BOE led the large TFT LCD market in July in terms of unit shipments with a 24 percent share, followed by LG Display with 19 percent, said IHS. In terms of area shipments, LG Display continued to lead with a 20 percent share, followed by BOE with 18 percent, it said.