The production of LCD glass is to receive a huge boost after a group of leading LCD television suppliers announced a JPY80 billion investment.

IPS Alpha, an LCD subsidiary owned by Hitachi, Panasonic and Toshiba, now aims to increase annual production to five million units. Its initial plans demanded an output of 2.5 million units a year.

The investment, which comes in response to growing international demand for flat screen televisions, will be pumped into its production plant in Mobara, Japan.

A new construction plant is also planned for the Czech Republic. It would be used to produce TFT LCD modules for televisions, in order to cater for the expending flat screen television market in Europe.

It should start production during the second half of the 2007 financial year.

Platinum and platinum alloys are used in LCD glass construction, as platinum's high melting point, strength and resistance to corrosion allow it to withstand the glass production process.

LCD glass is the most intensive user of platinum and rhodium per unit of glass manufactured, due to the high temperatures involved in its production and the quality of glass required.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd