Aug 31 2005
LG Chem, Ltd., announced today that it developed its own production method to produce color filters, a key component for LCDs. Also the new development is a departure from the previous 'photolithography method'.
A color filter is a key component, which sharpens the color of LCDs. It also accounts for 20% of the manufacturing cost of the LCDs.
The new production method enables LG Chem to simplify the manufacturing process and saves manufacturing cost and time by reducing its production stages from 16 to 3 steps.
The new process is an 'Ink Jet Printing Process' which prints ink on the surface of the LCD glass plate. It is a process that can be described as printing paper on an ink jet color printer.
The 'Ink Jet Printing Process' is considered as a 'Holy Grail' process for color filter manufacturing. LCD panel companies have been craving to develop this process to compete against the PDP manufacturers in price. In addition, LCD equipment manufacturers have also been longing to develop this process.
LG Chem was the first in Korea to ever develop this new production method and it is expected to provide LCD manufacturers a competitive edge over PDP manufacturers. Currently, LCD TVs are priced higher than PDPs in the market. This will be an opportunity to popularize LCD TVs.
Also, with the 'Ink Jet Printing Process', LG Chem will be able to save more than 50% on its manufacturing cost.
"In the display industry, Korea has been dependent on raw materials and manufacturing processes from Japan, however, this new development will make it unnecessary for us to rely on imports for LCD raw materials and manufacturing process," said Jong-Kee Yeo, President and CTO of LG Chem.
"Not only did LG Chem develop its own development method but also it developed its own technology to produce the raw materials. This will significantly enhance the domestic LCD manufacturers to gain more market share in the global market," the CTO added.
http://www.lgchem.com