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April 19
News Release
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epson Begins Full-Scale Production of HTPS Panels at New Chitose Plant
- TOKYO, Japan, April 19, 2005 -
Epson today held a ceremony to announce the on-schedule start up of production at its new Chitose Plant in Hokkaido, Japan. The plant is dedicated to producing high-temperature polysilicon TFT LCDs (HTPS panels) for projection systems. The new production lines will produce HTPS panels for advanced 3LCD projectors and 3LCD projection TVs on 300-mm (12-inch) quartz glass wafers, a first for Epson.
Demand for HTPS panels used in business projectors has been steadily rising along with increased demand for presentations in business and, more recently, increased projector use in the education market. Meanwhile, the spread of DVD players and digital broadcasts has sparked burgeoning consumer demand for front projectors and large-screen 3LCD projection TVs for the home. Demand for 3LCD projection TVs has been especially pronounced in North America, and from last year, in Japan.
Epson is currently manufacturing HTPS panels on 200-mm (8-inch) wafers at its Suwa Minami Plant in Fujimi, Nagano Prefecture. However, with demand predicted to outstrip capacity, Epson decided to begin full operations at the Chitose fab to secure a stable supply for its popular product.
3LCD is the most popular projection system in the world. Using its proprietary liquid crystal and high aperture-ratio technologies, Epson has established industry-leading levels of light efficiency, brightness, color reproduction, resolution and energy efficiency in its HTPS panels. This expertise has established it as the world's leading provider of HTPS panels and also of 3LCD projectors.
Chitose Plant will provide Epson with its first opportunity to apply its new HTPS production technology for 300-mm quartz glass wafers. The plant's initial capacity will be 2,000 wafers per month, but this will be ramped up as necessary to meet demand.
With its original and highly efficient production technologies, Epson believes that it will contribute to the further growth of the market for 3LCD front-type projectors and 3LCD projection TVs.
Please see the attachment for more details of the Epson Chitose Plant.
Click here
for information about Epson HTPS technology.
Click here
for information about Epson projector technology.
Click here for
information about Epson projectors available in your
country.
About Epson
Epson is a global leader in imaging products including printers, projectors and LCDs. With an innovative and creative culture, Epson is dedicated to exceeding the vision and expectations of customers worldwide with products known for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
Epson is a network of 84,899 employees in 110 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., the Group had consolidated sales of 1,413 billion yen in fiscal 2003.
Contact:
Seiko Epson Corp.
Public Relations and Brand Strategy
Contact us by e-mail
URL: http://www.epson.co.jp/
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