Flat Panel Displays Are Key Focus as Electronics Industry Strives to "Go Green"

"Going green."

It is literally impossible these days to pick up a newspaper or a magazine or turn on the television without learning about the latest efforts " often driven by government and/or industry mandates -- to "go green". But, what does "going green" really mean?

"Going green" is a worldwide, multifaceted initiative among all levels of government, corporations of all sizes, industry associations, private citizen organizations and special interest groups to protect our planet's environment by conserving natural resources, increasing energy conservation, reducing waste and recycling existing energy into clean, renewable and sustainable sources, thereby reducing global green house gas (GHG) emissions. Some examples of these ongoing initiatives are:

European Union experts say up to 2 billion euros could be saved every year if each household in the 27-member Union, whose population is approximately 500 million, were to use one energy-saving light bulb.("Outside View" commentary by Andrei Fedyashin, August 7, 2008)

In August 2008, Spain introduced Europe's first plan for saving gas, diesel fuel and electricity, imposing stringent limits on speed and energy consumption. Spain is the most hydrocarbon-dependent country in Europe and imports 84 percent of its petroleum and coal. ("Outside View" commentary by Andrei Fedyashin, August 7, 2008)

Californians are already among the cleanest users of energy on the planet " without crimping their suburban, car-based lifestyle. To generate each dollar of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the state emits 20 percent fewer greenhouse gases than some of the world's greenest countries such as Germany or Denmark. (Newsweek, March 2, 2009 issue)

In July 2008, the City of Syracuse, NY launched a marketing effort to nickname the city "The Emerald City" to highlight Syracuse's extensive greening efforts. (CNY Connected, a WCNY Publication, March/April 2009 issue)

In 2008, Wal-Mart, acknowledged to be the world's largest corporation by revenue, announced that it has committed to supply 15 percent of its total energy usage with energy generated from wind power. (CNY Connected, a WCNY Publication, March/April 2009 issue)

The electronics industry has made a major effort on a worldwide basis to comply with government environmental regulations such as Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), Energy using Products (EuP), Energy Star and TCODevelopment.

Flat panel displays have become a ubiquitous component in a wide spectrum of high tech electronic products targeting the business and consumer user in the computer, consumer, industrial, medical and automotive markets. The technology, form factor and capabilities of these flat panel displays are now playing an increasing role in " and having an impact on -- driving the end user total experience. As such, flat panel displays have become an important means for manufacturers to differentiate their products in a highly competitive global market. According to market analyst DisplaySearch, worldwide leader in display market research, the total flat panel display market was approximately $103 billion in 2008, and within that, US$92 billion were contributed by TFT LCD, which requires the backlight unit. There were more than 2 billion units of TFT LCD, ranging from 1" to 100" shipped in 2008.

However, because flat panel displays often have the highest power consumption of any component in electronic products, there is increased focus on utilizing power-saving technologies and eco-friendly components in their design and manufacture. There are basically four ways to implement green flat panel displays:

Green components (such as optical sensors, LED backlights, driver ICs, glass, color filter, liquid crystal and optical films)

Green panel design

Energy-saving production processes

Packaging

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