Global panel production capacity for large-size TFT LCD panels (9-inch and above) is expected to grow by only 3.4% in 2013 due to panel makers shifting their focus more to producing small- to medium-size panels, according to Digitimes Research.

Taiwan-based makers' production capacity for large-size panels is expected to rise slightly on year in 2013, said Digitimes Research.




Japan-based panel makers will see a slight decrease in large-size TFT LCD panel capacity in 2013 as Sharp and Panasonic will be focusing more on producing small- to medium-size panels, added Digitimes Research.

Korea-based panel makers will experience their first-ever decline in large-size TFT LCD panel production capacity in 2013 due to LG Display (LGD) allocating more of its 8.5G capacity to producing OLED TV panels. LGD also will allocate 40% of its 6G line to producing small- to medium-size panels, which will decrease the company's overall large-size TFT LCD panel capacity by 6% in the second half of 2013 compared to the second half of 2012. Overall production capacity for large-size LCD panels in Korea will drop slightly in 2013.

China-based panel makers, however, will increase their overall production capacity for large-size TFT LCD panels by about 28% due to China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) increasing its capacity from 108,000 substrates per month as of the fourth quarter in 2012 to 130,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013, added Digitimes Research.