AU Optronics Corp (
Under the one-year agreement, the Hsinchu-based Sintek Photronic Corp (
"As the supply of color filters is expected to remain tight by the third quarter of 2004, AU hopes to be on our priority list," Chang explained.
Currently, Sintek offers around 44,000 color filters a month to AU and is planning to expand its production lines in March to cater to AU's demand, the company said in a statement.
AU yesterday tried to play down the significance of the alliance and declined to reveal details.
"The deal is one of AU's efforts to secure a steady supply of color filters, which are important materials for our panel manufacturing," said Hsiao Ya-wen (?
But a flat-panel analyst said the tie-up indicates the crucial role color filters play in the flat-panel sector.
"A supply crunch in color filters could hurt panel shipments," said Martha Chen (
The supply of color filters has been an important issue for panel makers as color-filter plants have lagged far behind demand, Chen said. There are also technology barriers to overcome, she added.
The AU-Sintek deal follows a 28-percent share purchase by AU's major stakeholder BenQ Corp (
In addition to seeking an alliance with local color-filter makers to ensure sufficient supply, AU also owns an advanced fifth-generation color-filter plant in Lungtan, Taoyuan County. The plant started to ship small volumes in October and monthly production is expected to ramp up to 20,000 units this month.
To solve the supply problem, most local panel makers are also mulling opportunities to form alliances with color-filter makers, or even to operate their own factories to meet the mounting demand.
Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd (
Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp (
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