Thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) manufacturing capacity in China is forecasted to experience 35 percent growth in 2007 and 50 percent growth in 2008, as new fab capacity begins to come online, according to a new market research report titled "China TFT-LCD Industry Report," that is now available from SEMI.

The SEMI report estimates that as investment in display production facilities slows for the rest of the world, China could eventually account for 20-30 percent of the total world market for TFT-LCD manufacturing equipment. Currently, China is home to two fifth generation (G5) TFT-LCD fabs in production, one G5 fab coming on line, one existing G5 fab expansion, one GI plant, and three Chinese-owned G2-G3 lines in Korea.

There are also a number of new investments at various stages of planning including a Truly Semiconductor G2.5 project, a Shanghai Tianma G4.5 line, plus an additional 60,000 sheets of G5 capacity per month by IVO. In addition, there is a Shenzhen Innolux G5 project that is awaiting environmental approvals, as well as a G6 plant by Shenzhen Jiulong, and another G6 plant by Shanghai SVA-NEC.

"To date, there has been very little production of TFT-LCD materials or components in China," said Mark Ding, president of SEMI China. "However, the influx of both Chinese and foreign-owned companies that are beginning to establish these local facilities is helping to significantly grow this market, and will ultimately help establish China as a global panel making market center of TFT-LCD materials and components."

SEMI conducted in-depth interviews and China plant visits with executives at TFT-LCD producers, fab construction companies and equipment and materials suppliers in developing the information contained in this report. The data was augmented by SEMI equipment and materials market data collection programs to develop in-depth profiles of China's TFT-LCD manufacturers, their capacity plans and equipment and materials needs, and to analyze the status of the local equipment and materials supply chain.

The report identifies important trends and forecasts for the China TFT-LCD market, and is available for purchase from SEMI for $1,000 (SEMI members/single user), and $1,500 (non-member/single user). A company-wide site license is available for $2,500 for SEMI corporate member companies, and $3,750 for non-members. For more information, or to order the report, call SEMI Global Sales and Services at 1.877.746.7788 (U.S. toll-free) or 1.408.943.6901.

SEMI is a global industry association serving companies that provide equipment, materials and services used to manufacture semiconductors, displays, nano-scaled structures, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and related technologies. SEMI maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose (Calif.), Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.semi.org.