A market survey looking at flat panel display production predicts that the sudden cut in capital spending on flat panel display production facilities resulting from the Asian economic crisis will result in an early recovery in the market. Capital spending by flat panel display fabricators is down 40% on 1997 but the sudden fall should lead to the current surplus in TFT screens quickly becoming a shortage. Production capaity is expected to remain tight throughout 1999 and 2000, providing a stable market for suppliers. The increasing size of notebook PC screens is seen as one reason for the continuing capacity shortage, as most of the existing screen fabrication units are not optimally designed for large screen production. Flat panel display screens are also becoming incresingly popular for desktop machines, providing another market for glass. (whole item)
