Large-Screen LCD Panel Shipments Rose 10.6% Despite Oversupply Worries, Says IHS

Global shipments of large-screen LCD panels increased in 2018 despite oversupply concerns, reported IHS Markit Wednesday. Shipments increased 10.6 percent from 2018 to 197.9 million square meters (236.7 million square yards), it said. Fierce price competition in 65- and 75-inch display panels was “ignited” when panel maker BOE started mass production of its Gen 10.5 factory in Hefei, China, in close collaboration with Corning, which is supplying the mother glass, it said. “With BOE operating the 10.5-generation line, panel makers have become more aggressive on pricing since early 2018 to digest their capacity. Large panels are still more profitable than smaller ones.” In area terms, LG Display led the world’s panel makers in 2018 with 21 percent share in 2018, followed by BOE (17 percent) and Samsung Display (16 percent), said IHS. In unit terms, BOE led all suppliers with 23 percent, followed by LG Display (20 percent) and Innolux (17 percent), it said.