Taiwan makers' shipments of large-size (9-inch and above) TFT LCD panels are expected to only grow 0.7% on quarter in the third quarter of 2015 followed by 0.6% sequential growth in the fourth quarter, according to Digitimes Research. Both of the slight increases will represent on-year declines, however, due to weak demand for PC products and LCD TV vendors adjusting reserves in the second half.
Despite the expected decline, panel makers have had plans to expand large-size panel production capacity by 3.1% on quarter in the third quarter of 2015 followed by 4.7% on quarter in the fourth quarter. Due to this increase while large-size panel demand will in fact be weak, Digitimes Research expects it will prompt oversupply in the market over the next 6-12 months.
In 2015, global large-size LCD panel shipments are expected to reach 681.6 million, down 4.6% on year. Global TV panel shipments will be the only application that sees on-year growth, with shipments expected to climb 3.3% on year to 258.7 million while notebook and tablet panels will each see 9-10% on-year declines.
Taiwan makers' overall 2015 large-size LCD panel shipments will reach 235.1 million, down 11.2% on year, said Digitimes Research. AU Optronics (AUO) and Innolux will account for 102.5 million and 124.4 million respectively while overall Taiwan shipments will account for 37.1% of the global total, down from 34.5% in 2014.