LCD production in the Far East has received a massive boost with the news that Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology (OT) will ramp up production.

Its fifth-generation thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) production line is now fully operational, according to the Korean Times.

A launch ceremony has been held in Beijing by the Chinese affiliate of BOE Hydis, to celebrate what is China's first fifth-generation LCD production line.

Choi Byung-doo, president of both BOE Hydis and BOE OT of China commented: "With the fifth-generation LCD line in full operation, production lines in Korea and China will be more efficiently used, creating considerable synergy effects.

"The stable production network sets the cornerstone for BOE to grow into a global LCD manufacturer."

BOE OT now boasts the largest-scale TFT-LCD production facility in China.

With the new production line underway, the firm is now able to produce double the quantity of glass sheets.

Production volume should rise from 30,000 glass sheets per month to 60,000 in the second half of this year, and then to 85,000 glass sheets by 2006.

Market researchers at Strategy Analytics Connected Home Devices have predicted that global sales of flat panel TVs will surge by two thirds this year – with important implications for the pgm industry because of the use of the precious metals in the manufacturing process.