Taiwan-based TFT-LCD panel maker Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) has begun shipments of 4-, 7- and 10.1-inch capacitive touch panels and is poised to ship 21.5-inch in-cell touch panels based on Photo Sensing technology, according to the company.

CPT noted that niche products such as touch panels and 3D panels are expected to account for nearly 10% of its total revenues in 2010.

With limited capacity for large-size LCD panel production, CPT is currently concentrating on shipping 18.5- and 21.5-inch widescreen monitor panels and 10.1- and 13.3-inch widescreen notebook panels, the company said, adding that CPT shipped about one million monitor panels and 500,000 notebook panels in April.

Production at its previously suspended 4.5G plant is expected to reach full utilization in June with 90,000 substrates per month, up from the current 40,000.

CPT said it is also expanding its 6G fab, where monthly capacity will increase to 110,000 substrates in June from the current 90,000.

Capacity expansion of its color filter (CF) production at the 6G plant has completed, with monthly capacity expected to reach 80,000 substrates in June, it said.