Samsung To Mass-Produce 46-in LCDs For TVs

LONDON — Samsung Electronics is delivering on its promise to standardize on 40- and 46-inch LCD panels for the mass TV market as it begins installing critical equipment this week at a new LCD production line for the larger displays.

The new line, which will cost approximately 1 trillion won ($975 million) to build, consists of a FAB facility area of 300,000 square meters and a module facility area of 93,000 square meters.

Mass production at what will be known as Line 7-2 will begin in April 2006. When fully ramped, it will produce 45,000 sheets per month.

Glass substrate made there will be identical to those at its nearby joint venture (S-LCD) production facility (Line 7-1) with Sony Corp., which makes 1870 x 2200 mm size substrates. Samsung believes the latest line will put it ahead of all competition in large LCD panels.

The industry is beginning to standardize on the 1870 x 2200 mm substrate, which is ideal for the 40- and 46- inch TV panels. The new line can produce simultaneously eight 40-inch panels or six 46-inch versions from a single plate.