Sony and Samsung are set to begin discussions to jointly build a second liquid crystal display (LCD) in South Korea.

The plant, which will cost around £1.4 million, is expected to open in 2007 and will probably handle eighth-generation glass substrates, the Nihon Keizai business daily has stated.

Sony and Samsung began their LCD joint venture, S-LCD, in South Korea in April 2004, and began making LCD panels from seventh-generation glass substrates in April.

The second factory is expected to be close to the first S-LCD plant in South Korea.

Many analysts have been predicting that Sony would need to up production of panels for its new Bravia LCD televisions, which have proved popular in the US and Japan.

The two companies are hoping the new agreement will secure their prominent positions in what has become an extremely competitive market and they are also considering further LCD joint initiatives in the future.



Ÿ Adfero Ltd