Business trend:
According to a U.S.
survey company, worldwide smart phone shipments are estimated to increase 2.5
times over the level in 2011 to 1,260 million units in 2016. Japanese companies
have a tough game in the finished product market, but they enjoy an established
presence in the material market thanks to its advanced technology. They increase
the investment in the development and production of smartphone materials to
strengthen the competitive edge further.
Kuraray will mass
produce film materials for clearer image. The company has 80% share in the
world market of polarizing plate films for liquid crystal displays, and it will
start mass production of insulator films for printed circuit boards. It will
increase the annual production capacity 15 times to 3 million square meters. Sumitomo Chemical will increase the production capacity of semiconductor materials for
high-speed wireless radio communication. The company will increase the
production capacity 25% with an investment of 5 billion yen. JX Nippon Mining
and Metals will start world’s thinnest 6 micrometers foldable material for
printed circuit boards.
Strategic moves of other major companies
in the material market
Company
|
Strategy
|
Plans to produce
glass for touch panels. The new glass is 50% lighter than the existing
products.
|
|
Plans to increase
the production capacity of lightweight resin sheets for touch panel by five
times
|
|
Plans to double
the production capacity of packaging material to protect lithium-ion battery
|
Although 21 percent of all digital camera and video camera owners consent that mobile phones (Smartphones) are a better long lasting financial commitment, seven in ten (71%) highly consent that the quality of images is better on a photographic digital camera or video camera than a smart phone.
ReplyDeleteDigital Camera Industry Report