Panasonic predicts demand for plasma screens will fall in the coming years, but the sets will maintain a strong market share.  Platinum plays an important role in the manufacturing process for plasma and LCD panels.

Hiro Wada, head of product planning for visual products and display devices at Panasonic, told Reuters that plasma screens, that currently hold 40 per cent of the market for larger TVs, will fall and remain at 30 per cent.

He said: "Plasma can keep 30 per cent of the market in TVs of 37 inches (94cm) and above."

Speaking at the IFA consumer electronics trade fair in Berlin, Mr Wada went on to explain that Panasonic's parent company Matsushita was investing $2.3 billion in doubling its plasma capacity over the next two years and aiming to sell 2 million sets in the US in 2007.

He added that the plasma screen technology's relative youth meant there was room for substantial improvement in the technology, compared with LCD screens that have been in use for 30 years.


Source:

Panasonic sees steady demand for plasma
http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2007-08-30T185701Z_01_L30577672_RTRIDST_0_TECH-ELECTRONICS-FAIR-PANASONIC-COL.XML

Ÿ Adfero Ltd