China Optoelectronics begins STN LCD glass substrate trial production

With technology support from Germany-based Eglass Platinum Technology (EPT), COTC has invested NT$2.8 billion to build two down-draw process technology-based LCD glass-smelting furnaces and related forming lines, one for producing STN LCD glass substrates and another for TFT LCD glass substrates.COTC has not yet begun operations at the TFT LCD glass substrate production facilities.

After a long delay, COTC has become the only Taiwanese company to start LCD glass substrate production. Two other companies – NeoGlass Technology and Picvue Optoelectronics – that made similar investments have not fared as well. While NeoGlass reportedly went broke in September, Picvue Optoelectronics will not begin LCD glass substrate production until next spring. Its parent Picvue Electronics and EPT have been sued by Corning for misappropriation of trade secrets and copyright infringement.