Flat panel displays' green features to increase 70%

In 2008, 20 per cent of flat panel displays' (FPD) shipments had green features, and this share is expected to soar to 70 per cent by 2012 and dominate the market by 2014, reports DisplaySearch.

The company, which specialises in flat panel display-related market forecasts, technology assessments, surveys, studies and analysis, said it has prepared a new report dedicated to green flat panel display called "Green Technology in Flat Panel Displays: Market Technology and Trends".

This new report examines environmental regulations, power-saving technologies, eco-friendly components, energy saving manufacturing processes, and panel structure simplification efforts of the three main kinds of FPDs – TFT LCD, OLED and Plasma.

DisplaySearch defines green flat panel displays as those which meet one of the following conditions: using environmentally friendly components and materials; achieving lower power consumption by using new components or technologies; compliant with environmental regulations such as waste disposal; using production processes that reduce energy and materials consumed; completely or partially recyclable after useful life; or use of green or eco-friendly concepts in product design, packaging methods or materials.

The report also finds that flat panel displays supply chain participants work on green FPDs for many reasons, which include environmental regulations like Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), Energy Using Products (EuP), Energy Star, TCO and other factors like cost reduction, social responsibility and prevention of future damages or customer claims.

While not all green FPD technologies represent cost reductions for panel makers, as long as the technologies improve and more suppliers adopt them, green will eventually lead to lower costs and social responsibility.

The figures show 2008 was the year of green FPD development, with green panels accounting for nearly 20 per cent of the total $95.6 billion (Dh351bn) market for TFT, LCD, OLED and Plasma displays.

DisplaySearch defines 2009 as the year of green implementation, and panels and end-products will be focusing on green promotion in 2010.

Green flat panel displays penetration will pass 50 per cent in 2011 and then achieve 100 per cent in 2014.

According to David Hsieh, Vice-President of DisplaySearch and the author of the report: "Energy savings is a hot topic globally, whether the economy is good or bad. Displays often have the highest power consumption of any component in electronics products.

"This new DisplaySearch report contains all relevant market and technology information, as well as our analysis of green FPDs. The report also attempts to raise consciousness for a greener display industry."

Regarding TFT LCD, there are currently four methods to implement green displays:

- Green panel design, like new cell structures that increase panel transmittance or new technologies like PSA, COA, AMVA and SHA

- Energy saving production processes, like photomask reduction, ink-jet printing of colour filters, roll-to-roll production, and replacement of toxic gases in production

- Green components, such as glass, colour filter, liquid crystal, optical films, driver ICs and LED backlights

- Packaging, like space-saving containers for better transportation efficiency and recyclable packing materials

DisplaySearch defines OLED as a naturally green technology, due to the simpler structure, reduced materials consumption and lower power consumption. For plasma, there are three ways to implement green: high luminous efficiency, eco-friendly materials with lower EMI, and new manufacturing processes for materials reduction.

The Green Technology in Flat Panel Displays Report also takes a close look at the green activities and technologies adopted by 12 major companies inlcuding Sharp, Sony, Samsung, LG Display, AUO, CMO, CPT, Lenovo, HP, Philips, Apple, Dell, Panasonic and LG Electronics.

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