Large-area TFT LCD display panel suppliers enjoyed moderate growth in shipments, revenues and display area in 2014 as the market demand for key applications grew. On-year shipments of 9-inch and larger panels increased 4% (721 million units), while overall display shipment area grew 13%. Overall large-area TFT LCD display revenues grew 2%, reaching US$74.4 billion in 2014, according to IHS.

"The double-digit increase in large-area TFT LCD panel area last year was mainly driven by increasing consumer demand for larger TVs, Ultra HD (4K) TVs and high-end monitors," said Yoonsung Chung, director of large area display research for IHS. "The notebook market rebound, which began in the second quarter of 2014, also aided large-area display growth."

Overall shipment area of 40-inch-and-larger panel sizes increased 34% in 2014, compared to the previous year. On-year notebook display unit shipments increased 8%, and revenues grew 16%; however, 9-inch-and-larger tablet LCD panels suffered from weaker demand, which slowed on-year unit growth to 1% and caused revenues to decline 6%.

2015 TFT LCD forecast

Panel makers are projecting similar TFT LCD shipment trends in 2015, with overall large-area display shipments expected to grow just 1% and reach 729.5 million units. Revenue growth and area growth for this category, however, are forecast to reach 6% and 8%, respectively.

Total LCD TV panel shipments are expected to increase 3% in 2015, to reach 260.5 million units; shipment area will grow 8%, from 113 million square meters a year earlier, to 123 million square meters in 2015. The importance of 4K in the TV market will continue in 2015, reaching more than 40 million units, comprising 15% of total LCD TV unit shipments, and more than doubling the 7% market penetration in 2014.

Growth in notebook and mini-note panel shipments will be flat in 2015, reaching just 198 million units. "Lackluster sales are forcing panel makers to begin upgrading to Full HD and other high resolution formats, and to adopt flat light guide plates in the backlight for ultra-slim panels, in hopes of raising profit margins," Chung said.

IHS said it forecasts that 9-inch-and-larger TFT LCD tablet panel shipments will decline 11% in 2015 versus the previous year. The primary cause of this decline is that Samsung Electronics has started to adapt OLED panels for tablets, which will negatively influence the overall TFT LCD market in 2015.

LCD monitor panel shipments are expected to grow 8% in 2015, to reach 168 million units. "Due to larger sizes, technology improvements and low depreciation in old fabs, the profit margin for monitor panels was solid in 2014, which is leading panel makers to plan more monitor shipments in 2015," Chung said.

On-year public display unit shipments grew 44% in 2014, with the retreat of plasma display panels (PDPs) and stronger momentum for the digital signage category. IHS added it expects public display unit shipments to increase 7% in 2015.