REPORT SCOPE
INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Having a thickness no greater than 1.5 mm, approximating a standard sheet of paper, paper-thin displays (PTDs) represent a new generation of ultra-thin displays. PTDs are seeing broader use in applications such as portable electronic devices, automotive displays, and retail and outdoor signage.
The main goal of this report is to provide new insights into current PTD technology, outlining technological trends, and supplying a market analysis for these products.
Specifically, the major objectives of this study are to:
- Provide a detailed review of paper-thin displays, including a description of their types and fabrication technologies
- Highlight new technological developments in PTD manufacturing, while outlining technical issues
- Review current fields of application for paper-thin displays and investigate emerging applications
- Estimate current global markets for PTDs by type, application, and region, with growth forecasts through 2015 for each market segment
- Identify important technology and market trends within each market segment
- Supply an updated review of current players in PTD technology
- Provide a description of current worldwide research activities and evaluate their impact on industry growth
- Determine trends in recently issued U.S. patents.
REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY
Representing innovative display technology for a new generation of devices, paper-thin displays are an increasingly important segment of the very large display industry. Paper-thin displays can be rigid or flexible, and while presently used mainly in the portable electronic device sector, they are expected to increase their penetration in many other sectors during the next 5 to 10 years. This increased market penetration will be driven by the development of new technologies that focus on the fabrication of low-cost, flexible color displays.
Over the years, beginning with the first electrochromic material discovered in the early 1700s, several key technologies have been developed that allow for the controlled transmission of light and color formation. During the 1960s, these technologies led to the fabrication of the first monochrome flat-panel displays. In subsequent years, focus shifted toward the creation of color flat-panel displays (FPDs), leading to their rapid commercialization during 1990s. In the late 1990s, other technologies were developed and/or refined, paving the way for the fabrication of ultra-thin displays. Commercialization of PTDs has expanded rapidly during the past 5 years.
The market for PTDs is currently valued at approximately $1.4 billion worldwide and continues to grow at a healthy rate.
The principal reason for doing this study is to present a current assessment of the PTD industry from both a technological and market point of view and to outline future trends and key developments.
There is also a need to evaluate the current status and future trends of the PTD industry from a global standpoint. As use of this technology expands, information on regional production, sales, and type of suppliers becomes more valuable.
An equally important reason for undertaking this study is to provide technical insights into PTD manufacturing by:
- Supplying a review of PTD types, their applications, and production methods
- Identifying current technical issues
- Providing an overview of global R&D activities related to paper-thin displays, both within public and private organizations
- Illustrating the latest technological developments.
This information can assist companies in finding opportunities for process and productivity improvements, resulting in a positive impact on future market growth.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
This study will be of primary interest to all companies that:
- Manufacture, sell, and distribute ultra-thin displays
- Supply raw materials for PTD production
- Manufacture process equipment utilized by PTD producers
- Fabricate devices that utilize PTDs (such as portable electronic devices, digital signage, electronic price tags and labels, and automotive displays)
- Provide technical and/or marketing services in conjunction with the above-mentioned products
- Are planning to enter the PTD industry as a supplier, manufacturer, or end-user.
Overall, this study applies to industry sectors such as electronics, automotive, healthcare, and consumer.
This study is mainly directed toward executives, directors, operations managers, sales and marketing managers, and strategic planners working within the above industries. Universities and research facilities may find this study to be a good source of technical information regarding PTD technology, materials, and applications, which can be used as a baseline for new or expanded R&D activities.Librarians of technical information and research centers can also use this report to provide critical data to product managers, market analysts, researchers, and other professionals needing detailed and updated insights into the PTD industry.
SCOPE OF REPORT
This study provides an updated review of PTD technology, including materials and production processes, and identifies current and emerging applications for this technology.
BCC Research determines the current market status of paper-thin displays, defines trends, and presents forecasts of growth over the next 5 years. Technological issues, including the latest process developments, are also discussed.
BCC Research analyzes the PTD industry on a worldwide basis from the standpoint of both manufacturing and consumption. In addition, the study examines commercial and public research activities in major regions of the world. Research objectives and areas of interest related to materials, production methods, and applications of paper-thin displays are also outlined.
More specifically, BCC’s market analysis is divided into five parts.
In the first part, a historical review of paper-thin displays is provided, including an outline of recent events. In addition, the report supplies a detailed description of PTD types and their fabrication processes. In this section, current and emerging applications for these products are also identified and divided by category (i.e., electronic portable devices, electronic price tags and smart labels, signs and displays for advertising, TV monitors, automotive displays, healthcare devices, safety and security devices, and other products).
The second part of the report entails a global market analysis of paper-thin displays. Current technical issues are described, followed by a review of related, recent technological developments and patent abstracts. Global revenues (sales data in millions of dollars) are presented by display type, application, and region, with actual data referring to the years 2008 and 2009, and estimated data for the year 2010.
This section concludes with a presentation of market growth trends, based on industry growth, technological trends, and regional trends. Projected revenues are reported, with forecast compound annual growth rates (CAGR) for the period 2010 through 2015.
In the third part, covering global industry structure, the report provides a list of developers and suppliers of paper-thin displays and a description of their products. The analysis includes a description of the geographical distribution of these firms and an evaluation of production versus consumption, always from a geographical standpoint. Detailed company profiles of the top industry players are also provided.
In the fourth part of this study, an analysis of industry competitiveness is performed. This analysis encompasses a review of global research and development activities, with profiles of the most important R&D players divided by region, and an outline of the most critical factors contributing to industry competitiveness.
The fifth and final section includes an extensive U.S. patent analysis, with a summary of patents related to PTD types, fabrication methods, and applications, issued during the period 2007 through 2010. Patent analysis is performed by region, country, assignee, patent category, application, and display type.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used to obtain market data and analyze the overall market and market segments.
The technology section of this report is based on information derived from technical literature, related BCC reports, professional journals, the author’s field experience, and online sources.
Global market analysis was performed by analyzing 61 developers and manufacturers of paper-thin displays, accounting for at least 95% of the global market. Data for each company were obtained by thoroughly analyzing Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, Internet websites, annual reports, industry directories, industry magazines and catalogs, government sources, and other public sources.
Additional data were obtained from the direct contribution of primary sources, including company executives, managers, engineers, and other technical personnel representing manufacturers, developers, and users of PTDs and related materials and process equipment; representatives of academia and trade associations; and industry market analysts.
Secondary sources of information include:
- EDGAR – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Filings
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- European Patent Office
- Company websites
- Company annual reports
- Thomas Register
- Moody’s Directory
- S & P Industry Survey
- Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory
- American Ceramic Society Publications
- Foreign Chamber of Commerce Directories
- Foreign Stock Exchange Listings.
In addition to utilizing the above primary and secondary sources, market growth trends and forecasts were compiled by gaining additional insights from relevant financial and market information, relevant BCC reports, and the author’s own in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the collected information.
ANALYST CREDENTIALS
Margareth Gagliardi, BCC’s chief research analyst in advanced materials, has more than 25 years of experience in the field of advanced materials, specializing in ceramic formulations, materials processing, and new product development. She has held management positions in both manufacturing and R&D within U.S. and European firms producing electronic, mechanical, chemical, and structural components. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Ceramic Engineering.
Ms. Gagliardi has authored numerous BCC Research studies, including the following that are related to advanced materials and electronics:
- EGY068A Supercapacitors: Technology Developments and Global Markets
- AVM014D Ceramic Matrix Composites: Technologies and Global Markets
- NAN043B Nanofibers: Technologies and Developing Markets
- AVM069A Photocatalysts: Technologies and Global Markets
- SMC061B Atomic Layer Deposition
- AVM046B Thick Film Devices, Processes and Applications
- AVM018F Rare Earths: Worldwide Markets, Applications, Technologies
- AVM052B Aerogels
- AVM065A Smart Glass: Technologies and Global Markets
- AVM047B Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) Equipment and Materials
- PLS046A Polymer Absorbents and Adsorbents, Including SAPs and Polymer Gels
- SMC037D Sputtering Targets and Sputtered Films: Technology and Markets
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DISCLAIMER
The information developed in this report is intended to be of a professional nature and is as reliable as possible at the time of publication. This information does not constitute managerial, legal, or accounting advice, nor should it be considered as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual, or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is speculative in nature. The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or from its use.
