Sharp's Operations Begin at World's First LCD Panel Plant Employing 10th-Generation Glass Substrates

Osaka, Oct 1, 2009 - ( JCN Newswire ) - Sharp Corporation started operations at its new LCD panel plant (SDP(2)) in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Construction began in November 2007 on Sharp's state-of-the-art manufacturing complex - Sharp Green Front Sakai(1) - which includes this LCD panel plant and as well as another plant for thin-film solar cells.(3)

The LCD panel plant is the first facility in the world to adopt 10th-generation glass substrates. Using Sharp's proprietary UV2A(4) photo-alignment technology, the plant is capable of producing high-contrast, energy-efficient panels of 40 inches and larger, marking a new era in large displays.

Sharp Green Front Sakai will bring the world two environmentally friendly products: energy-saving LCD panels and energy-creating solar panels. Sharp aims to make this complex an environmentally advanced production base through such environmental measures as adopting LEDs for all indoor and outdoor lighting (approximately 100,000 LED lights) throughout the complex. In addition, Sharp will install solar panels on all factory roofs to provide some of the needed electricity.

Sharp Green Front Sakai is the new driving force behind Sharp's efforts to make environmentally friendly products at an environmentally conscious plant, thus helping to realize a greener society.

Overview of Sharp Green Front Sakai

Location:             1 Takumi-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, 
                       Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Land area:            Approx. 1.27 million m2

LCD Panel Plant

Production capacity:  72,000 substrates per month 
                      (36,000 substrates per month at start of operations)
Glass substrate size: 2,880 x 3,130 mm 
                      (10th-generation glass substrate)

(1) Sharp Green Front Sakai is a name used in Japan.
(2) Sharp Display Products Corporation
(3) The thin-film solar cell plant is scheduled to start by March 2010.
(4) Abbreviation of Ultraviolet-induced multi-domain Vertical Alignment.

AboutSharp

Sharp Corporation (TSE: 6753) is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. As a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and digital technologies, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, information products and electronic components, while also creating new network businesses. For more information, please visit www.sharp.co.jp .