China Steel executives discussed several high-tech diversification plans into electronics, biotech and telecoms at the company's board meeting yesterday, including a joint venture that will produce color filters for notebook LCD screens.
Non-steel business represents 25 percent of the company's activities, said Chairman Wang Chung-yu (
The proportion is expected to rise to 30 percent within two years, with almost all of the increase coming from high-tech products.
Among the newest ventures discussed was a partnership between China Steel and several other unnamed companies that will produce color filters, a vital component of notebook computer LCD screens. Taiwan is rapidly expanding its LCD production, creating demand for key components.
China Steel will hold a 9.3 percent stake valued at NT$320 million. The new venture, referred to by Chung as AMTC, has a production target of 80,000 filters per month.
"I think the viability of this venture is quite good," said Jason Tuan, deputy head of research at Taiwan Securities.
"Color filters are one of the few LCD components that Taiwan can easily make on its own."
Despite a large number of local entrants moving into the color filter production field recently, Tuan said "there is still space in the market, because most existing color filter operations are focusing on small-sized screens, not the notebook screens that I believe this new venture will make."
Wang said the key to breaking into the crowded market was to use more advanced technology. In this case, China Steel's technology partner, Toppan Printing of Japan, sounds suitable.
"Toppan is one of the leading color filter players in the world," Tuan said.
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