Corning's board of directors has approved plans to open a glass manufacturing facility for liquid crystal display (LCD) screens at its partner Sharp's plant in Sakai City, Japan.

The board granted approval for funding of $795 million over a five-year period into the facility, with an initial outlay of $400 million due next year.

The facility's output of glass substrates is expected to be ready for March 2010, at which point Sharp is planning to begin mass production of LCD panels for large televisions at the plant.

Peter F Volanakis, President and Chief Operating Officer at Corning, said: "Very large-size glass substrates offer superior economies of scale to display manufacturers, ultimately helping to make large LCD TVs more affordable for consumers.

"Developing substrates this large will represent a major milestone in the history of the LCD industry, and Corning is pleased to have a leadership role in the industry's continued advancement."

The joint venture will enable Corning to become the first manufacturer of TFT-grade Gen 10 substrates and will see it become the largest supplier of these to Sharp, a statement from Corning said.

Source:

Corning Announces Investment in Gen 10 LCD Glass Substrates, 06/12/07
http://www.corning.com/displaytechnologies/ww/en/media_center/press_releases/2007/2007120501.aspx

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