Taiwan- and China-based flat panel makers will step up the development and production of AMOLED panels in 2012 aiming to catch up with their counterparts in Korea in terms of technology and production efficiency, according to industry sources.

Samsung Mobile Display (SMD) and LG Display have been aggressive in the production of AMOLED panels, and the two companies reportedly will invest a total of US$7.2 billion to ramp up their AMOLED panel capacities in 2012, the sources indicated.

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics also plan to showcase their 55-inch AMOLED TVs at the forthcoming 2012 CES trade fair, the sources revealed.

In China, while BOE Technology has invested US$3.4 billion for the development of AMOLED panels, the AMOLED plants of Irico Group Electronics and Tianma Micro-electronics are expected to enter volume production in 2012, the sources indicated.

China-based Visionox has also announced that it will set up a 4.5G line or above for production of AMOLED panels slated for operation in 2013.

AU Optronics (AUO) currently has a 4.5G AMOLED production line in Singapore which will enter volume production in 2012, said the sources. AUO actually began to develop AMOLED panels in 2006 but it did not enter volume production due to weak market demand at the time.

Chimei Innolux (CMI) is also expected to continue ramping up the production of AMOLED lines at its 3.5G plant, but the company has not yet revealed plans to set up additional lines for AMOLED panels, said the sources.