Technology company Schott AG has announced a $195 million investment in its LCD production.

Schott has entered into a joint venture with Kuramoto Seisakusho, based in Japan, for the development of large format TFT-LCD glass substrates.

The venture will create a new company, Schott Kuramoto, in which Schott will own a 75 per cent stake and supply it with large format glass substrates, while Kuramoto will deliver processing capabilities.

Production at the joint venture's new plant, near Seoul in South Korea, will begin towards the end of 2006, the company revealed and it will offer LCD screens to panel and television manufacturers in the region.

As demand in the LCD market continues to boom, a number of big companies have announced plans to expand their flat screen operations.

However, analysts have warned that there could be a glut in the market during 2006 if demand does not continue to rise as it has been, which would have a serious impact on the companies that have invested so much in the LCD industry.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd