CONNECT WITH US
Nov 18, 06:56
AUO's Hsinchu exit comes ahead of a major OLED supply shift in 2026
The wave of panel-factory shutdowns continues, with AUO Corp. confirming the sale of another facility. On November 14, the company said it will dispose of its Hsinchu L3C plant and related assets to Powertech Technology for NT$6.898 billion (approx. US$221.5 million), generating an expected disposal gain of NT$3.85 billion. AUO said the move supports a light-asset operating model, asset activation, and financial optimisation.
Market researchers now expect Mini LED televisions to ship at nearly twice the volume of OLED sets in 2025 — roughly 1.8 times as many — marking a decisive shift in the premium TV landscape. Much of the momentum comes from Chinese brands TCL and Hisense, which have emerged as the dominant forces in the Mini LED segment, while Samsung's share has slipped as it concentrates more heavily on OLED models.
Apex Material Technology, a manufacturer specializing in touch panels and optical lamination services, reported revenue and profit growth in the third quarter of 2025, driven by rising shipments for medical applications and a rebound in demand from the industrial control sector. Management anticipates that continued sales growth from US and European medical clients, as well as steady expansion in industrial control and transportation markets, will support performance in the upcoming quarter and throughout 2026.
The rapid adoption of OLED panels in high-end display applications is becoming unstoppable, signaling a structural shift in the display industry. According to General Interface Solution (GIS), a leading touch panel manufacturer, OLED technology is expanding toward larger screen sizes and a broader range of product lines, beginning with premium devices and eventually trickling down to mainstream models.
Samsung Display (SDC) has reportedly started mass production of OLED on silicon (OLEDoS) panels, which will be used in Samsung Electronics' extended reality (XR) headset, the Galaxy XR. As a key component of XR devices, SDC's entry into the OLEDoS market is expected to significantly intensify competition.
South Korea's display industry views Apple's potential 2026 launch of an OLED MacBook as a critical turning point that could ignite explosive growth in the medium- and large-sized OLED market. Industry sources indicate that the market for notebook OLED panels has flattened, prompting players to seek a spark.
Geopolitical tensions, inflation, and a sluggish housing market have dampened global consumer demand for home appliances and display terminals in recent years. Despite weaker B2C purchasing power, companies are turning to new business models and strategic alliances to sustain growth in the commercial market, seeking to offset the shortfall from shrinking consumer spending.
As the fourth quarter of 2025 begins, Taiwan's leading panel manufacturers are experiencing a notable slowdown in demand, shaped by the typical seasonal downturn and ongoing economic uncertainties. All four of the island's major panel producers recorded reduced revenues in October 2025 amid a sluggish global display market. Au Optronics (AUO) reported a consolidated revenue of NT$20.92 billion (US$675 million) for October, a 14.4% decrease compared to September but a slight 0.2% increase year-on-year. Similarly, Innolux Corporation posted NT$18.2 billion, reflecting an 8.33% monthly drop yet a 7.76% rise from the same month last year.
As cars become rolling digital platforms, the display has become one of the most fiercely contested frontiers for screen makers. Much like the evolution of televisions, the auto industry is now witnessing a duel between two advanced display technologies—Mini LED backlighting and OLED panels—each finding loyal allies among global automakers.
Optical component and module assembler Ability Enterprises reported October 2025 revenue of NT$1.16 billion (approx. US$370 million), marking its highest monthly level in nearly nine years. The figure represented a 9.04% increase from September's NT$1.06 billion and a 114.96% surge compared with the same month in 2024.
During what is typically peak season, panel makers AU Optronics (AUO) and Innolux both posted operating losses in the third quarter of 2025 due to the appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar and falling panel prices. On the bright side, both companies were overall profitable in the first three quarters of the year. However, in the fourth quarter, both AUO and Innolux expect demand to further weaken as the market enters the traditional off-season.
Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) reported consolidated revenue of NT$2.257 billion (approx. US$72.8 million) in October 2025, down NT$400 million or 15.07% from September's NT$2.657 billion, but up NT$282 million or 14.3% year-over-year from October 2024's NT$1.974 billion.