News

Delta Electronics Delays CCFL Capacity Expansion for LCDs

August 30, 2006 by Jeff Shepard

Delta Electronics Inc. announced that it is likely to delay its capacity expansion plan for cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) from the end of this year to the first quarter of 2007, according to a report by Korean market research service Displaybank. The report did not state a reason for the delay. In recent months, several liquid crystal display (LCD) panel suppliers scaled back capacity expansion plans, though recent reports indicate a rebound in panel prices and possible tightening of panel supplies.

The Displaybank report said that Delta now has 18 fabrication lines — including 12 lines that came on line this year in Taiwan and China — generating a monthly capacity of 18 million units. This line expansion plan is in time for an expected pickup in demand for TV CCFLs in China. CCFL shipments are expected to remain strong since its Delta's TV-making customers will boost their shipments 20 through 30% through the beginning of 2007. TV-use CCFLs comprised over 20% of Delta's overall CCFL shipments the second quarter of 2006, the report said.