Sharp 2010 Annual Report Download - page 24

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This product group saw a decline in sales, as there was a decline in prices mainly of LCDs for use in mobile devices.
Meanwhile, profits for this product group increased, even taking into account the start-up costs of an LCD panel
plant at GREEN FRONT SAKAI.
Large-size LCDs
The demand for large-size LCDs was firm following the growth in the LCD TV market.
In October 2009, Sharp brought online a plant at GREEN FRONT SAKAI to produce
cutting-edge LCD panels using the world’s first 10th generation glass substrates. This
plant employs Sharp’s proprietary technologies, including the UV2A technology, which
realizes high optical efficiency for energy-saving and produces high-contrast levels, as
well as four-primary-color technology, which newly adds yellow to the primary colors of
red, green and blue to enhance color reproduction. These technologies allow us to
produce optimal, high value-added LCDs for LED TVs and 3D TVs, which are expected
to see an increase in demand going forward. To meet the robust demand for high-
performance panels, in July 2010 we doubled the input capacity of glass substrates to
72,000 per month, from the 36,000 per month at the start of operations.
Small- and Medium-size LCDs
The business environment remained challenging, particularly due to the decline in
market prices of LCDs for mobile phones and portable game devices. In addition to
efforts to overhaul the cost structures of existing businesses, Sharp worked to cultivate
new markets and develop new technologies with the aim of shifting to high value-
added businesses. We are promoting design-in activities for high value-added LCDs,
such as 3D LCDs and touchscreen LCDs, which have evolved from our strong-point
CG-Silicon technology. We will actively incorporate these LCDs in mobile phones, por-
table game devices and digital cameras, as well as smartphones and e-books, for which
market growth is anticipated.
Electronic Components
LCDs
Sales of LCDs
(billions of yen)
27.4%
LCD panel plant at GREEN FRONT SAKAI
3D touchscreen LCD
2009
2008
0 1,5001,000500
2010
Fiscal 2009 Review by Product Group
SHARP CORPORATION22