BOE and CSOT strategically adjusted their Gen 8.5 production lines by shifting some production capacities from TV panels to monitor panels instead, according to TrendForce’s latest investigations. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic generated a massive demand for WFH and distance learning, leading to an increase in IT product shipments. As a result of these developments, the market share of Chinese monitor panel manufacturers rose to 38% in 1H20.
TV panel prices started to decline in early- to mid-2Q20, according to TrendForce’s latest investigations. In an effort to clear inventory and alleviate pressure from falling TV panel prices, some panel manufacturers decided to either lower their capacity utilization or shift their production capacities to IT panels, which saw greater demand at the time. When the pandemic slowed down in late-2Q20, however, a wave of urgent orders for TV panels emerged as well. Given panel manufacturers’ inability to completely fulfill the spiking demand from TV brands, TV panel prices rebounded into an upswing. On the whole, under the dual influences of production capacity shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic, global TV panel shipment reached a modest figure of 129.05 million pieces in 1H20, an 8.4% decrease YoY.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in the TV supply chain in 1H20, including work stoppages and deferred deliveries throughout upstream, midstream, and downstream companies. Various retail outlets were also forced to halt operations due to pandemic-induced lockdowns, further affecting TV brands’ shipment performances. According to TrendForce’s latest investigations, total shipment of TV brands in 2020 is expected to reach a mere 214.11 million units, a 1.7% decrease YoY, but a 4% increase from the previous forecast in March, during which the outbreak’s spread was at its most aggressive. This increase in forecasted yearly shipment suggests that the stay-at-home economy generated by the pandemic is consistently gaining momentum.
Total shipment of AR/VR devices is expected to reach 5.12 million units in 2020, according to TrendForce. Thanks to the release of various glasses-like AR/VR devices, the AR/VR devices market is likely to rapidly expand from 2021 to 2022, with a forecasted shipment of 43.2 million units in 2025. This market is projected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53.1% from 2020 to 2025.
The display panel industry is expected to see limited growth in large-sized panel input area in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact and the continued reduction of LCD production capacity in Korea, according to TrendForce’s latest investigations. Even so, in 2020, polarizer manufacturers will be able to start mass production with two additional 2,500mm production lines, one added in 1H20 and the other one in 2H20. Compared to 2019, therefore, the polarizer industry is expected to be in a state of oversupply, with supply exceeding demand by about 12.3%.
