At present, the global flat-panel display industry shifted focus to TFT - LCD and OLED technology, low-standard TN/the STN LCD (twisted nematic liquid crystal display/super twisted nematic liquid crystal display) market is shrinking. In the field of consumer electronics, TN/the STN LCD has by mature into recession, on the various performance is very difficult to compete with the new display panel. Although TN/the STN LCD in mainland China has a complete industrial chain, but also because of low price has certain living space, however, as TFT - LCD prices lower, global panel makers on OLED attention increasingly rising, TN/the STN LCD faced with unprecedented survival crisis

TN/the STN space squeezed

In the face of LCD, such as competition, foreign manufacturers have closed TN/the STN production line.

1980 Beijing tube factory first introduce TN - 4 inch LCD production line, to make our country the first piece of LCD for calculator, marked the TN LCD - began to take root in China. In the 1990 s, TN/the STN LCD technology become the focus of global attention, a large number of 14 inches LCD production line was introduced in China, the formation of form a complete set of industrial chain. By 2010, China TN/the STN LCD production has accounted for more than 90% of the world, become the TN/the STN LCD - the world's largest production areas.

After 30 years of development, TN/the STN LCD on the technology is mature, but the TN/the STN passive drive mode, limited by physical properties of passive display technology, so whether in color, size, picture contrast perspectives, reaction speed, take the initiative would do more than drive TFT, LTPS TFT technology. In recent years, TFT - LCD technology has become the mainstream market, has gradually squeezed TN/the STN market space.

Tinto  industry researcher at the institute Lin Lin told "China electronics news" reporter in an interview: "TN pixels is not fine, resolution is not high, even in the above increase color filter, color is not ideal. This makes the TN/the STN narrowing the scope of application, living space narrowing. But because of TN/the STN TFT costs relatively low, at present in areas such as digital watches, electronic computer and low-grade display application space."

In the face of many emerging TFT, LTPS TFT, OLED and other strong competition, TN/the STN market share gradually decline, foreign manufacturers have closed TN/the STN production line. Mainland China has a relatively complete TN and the STN industry chain, in the middle and lower reaches of key raw materials such as ITO glass, backlight modules, polaroid has to realize the localization.

To face the challenge of high resolution

In the medium and small size of the market, high resolution panel technology has become a trend.

Mainland China in the past in the small size panel TN and have a good result on the STN, but due to the demand of mobile phone color originally monochrome lower-end the STN facing survival crisis. Growing display manufacturing technology, in particular, TN/the STN, CSTN every performance is very difficult to compete with OLED, TFT - LCD display panel. In the medium and small size of the market, high resolution panel technology has become a trend.

According to statistics, more than 50% of the STN/CSTN products used in mobile phone market, such as phones and digital cameras now is gradually replaced by the TFT - LCD display screen and in the competition, the STN/CSTN vulnerable is self-evident.

In 2012, according to "study, overall shipments expect up to 1.8 billion the phone's screen, with 61% of the mobile phone panel resolution of 200 ppi or below. In 2012, the use of more than 300 ppi resolution panel to 17%, and 8% in the past year, visible 300 ppi smartphones display has become an important standard. In 2013 is expected to more than 300 ppi phone panel with 22% market share, permeability is expected to reach 30% by 2016. "Preliminary research director zhang bing told" China electronics news "reporter in an interview:" mobile phone panel products tend to have higher technical requirements and customized needs, such as higher ppi display pixel density, lower power consumption, more frivolous design, etc."

In fact, the STN/CSTN products applied to the mobile phone is not only affected by the high resolution panel, and the challenges of the AMOLED. In recent years, Japan and South Korea panel makers to gradually give up TFT - LCD panel investment, intent on the AMOLED technology. In this case, the TN/the survival of the STN will face more severe challenges.

Transition to find the way of "self-help"

Although three to five years will not die, but the enterprise development must find a way out.

TN/the STN enterprises are encountering unprecedented development bottleneck, if continue to stay sharp market space narrow TN/the STN low-standard products, means choose to doing nothing. Under this situation, TN/the STN enterprises through various ways to find the way of "self-help", which focused on in the field of TFT module of low barriers to entry, steering TFT - LCD and OLED area development, selection and other enterprises to carry out capital mergers and acquisitions become three way of vendor selection.

Wintek, shanwei letter, tianma, etc into the field of TFT LCD, OLED, respectively. While most of the original mainly mainly produces TN/the STN product companies have increased the research and development of new technology products. The reporter understands, in the 1990 s or so, flat display industry just started in shenzhen, shenzhen China crystal display equipment co., LTD is built a TN LCD production line, set up its position in the industry. Now in addition to the TN/the STN product research and development, shenzhen jing hua also in the field of 3 d LCD touch screen, we intensified the efforts on research and development.

Lin Lin told the "China electronics news" reporter: "TN/the STN market growth is impossible, although 3 ~ 5 years will not die, however, the development of enterprises must find a way out. Such as hebei ji ya through the way of government procurement provide smart meters products for the north market, good results have been achieved. TN/the STN industry after again and again shuffle, do not rule out future will present in the form of purchase the dominance of."