LG Display, which posted an operating loss of 361.9 billion won in the first quarter, is enjoying a surge in orders for LCD panels for tablet PCs and laptop monitors in the wake of the new coronavirus outbreak.

Apple has recently asked LG Display to supply LCD panels for the iPad fast. LG Display is expected to start supplying them as early as June by operating the production lines at full throttle.

Earlier, Apple cut orders for the second quarter in anticipation of a significant contraction in the general consumer (B2C) market due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, it started to place additional orders as demand for the iPad surged in Asia due to the spread of remote education and telecommuting in Asia, a region which was relatively successful in coping with COVID-19.

However, Apple's request was unusual considering the time required to secure raw materials and manufacture products. Normally, orders must be made at least three months in advance. "Since BOE of China and Sharp of Japan are also major suppliers of panels for the Apple iPad, LG Display needs to respond quickly to Apple's request not to lose the order to its rivals,” an industry insider said.

LG Display has also been selected as a supplier of 6.1-inch panels for Apple's iPhone 12, which is scheduled to be released this year. The company started supplying OLED panels for the iPhone 11 in 2019. Until recently, Apple had been relying heavily on Samsung Display for OLED panels for the iPhone. LG Display has also secured Huawei as its customers.

Meanwhile, panels for TVs (31 percent) and panels for mobile devices (32 percent) accounted for two-thirds of LG Display's sales in the first quarter of this year while panels for laptops and tablets took up 12 percent and eight percent, respectively.