Report: Sharp gearing up Super IGZO display production

Both LG and Samsung are making preparations to ramp up OLED display production over the next couple of years and the latest industry reports suggest that Sharp is preparing to begin mass production of its rival next generation Super IGZO display panels as well.

According to the report, Sharp’s Super IGZO display boasts a boost to resolution over its current IGZO line-up. Furthermore, the display will also apparently be 10 to 20 percent more energy efficient, making them a very tempting prospect for mobile as they already consume a fraction of the power of TFT LCD displays. Mass production of this new display could begin in early 2016 at Sharp’s Kameyama Plant No. 2 in Mie Prefecture.

Sharp has announced a number of extremely pixel dense IGZO mobile displays in the past twelve months and these panels are expected to enter production in 2016. However, the company is yet to announce any customers for its growing display portfolio.

With many other major players in the display market banking on increased demand for OLED type displays, some are expecting that this could have an impact on LCD unit sales. As a LCD manufacturer that is already struggling for cash, Sharp may also be looking to diversify risk with its IGZO manufacturing line. The company is targeting 50 billion yen (US$ 403 million) in IGZO sales by 2020.