BOE Technology will lead China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) by more than 10pp in capacity share for large-size LCD panels after outbid the rival to take over the control of two fabs - one 8.5G and another 8.6G - from CEC-Panda LCD Technology, according to Digitimes Research.
The capacity gap comes even though CSOT has also managed to sign a deal to take over the control of Samsung Display's 8.5G line in Suzhou, China. The combined production capacity of CEC-Panda's two fabs is higher than that of Samsung's fab.
CEC-Panda's two fabs have a total capacity of 12.71 million square meters of LCD panels a year compared to 8.58 million square meters of Samsung Display's Suzhou plant.
CEC-Panda was forced to sell the two plants due to heavy losses incurred by the two fabs, while Samsung Display sold its in line with its withdrawal from the LCD segment.
With newly added capacities, the two Chinese panel makers are expected to take up the top-two spots for the supply of large-size LCD panels in 2021, after becoming the only two out of the world's top-six panel suppliers that experienced revenue growth in the first half of 2020, according to Digitimes Research.
CEC-Panda's Oxide TFT technology will help BOE develop high-end panels for notebook, tablet and monitor applications.
CSOT will have two 11G LCD fabs in 2021 giving it sufficient capacity for LCD TV panels, while Samsung Display's Suzhou 8.5G line will enable it to roll out monitor panels for Samsung Electronics and other clients.