3 Firms Invest in Shinoda Plasma, Form Manufacturing Alliance

Jan 29, 2008 20:32 Masao Oonishi, Nikkei Microdevices

Shinoda Plasma Corp has announced that it has formed an alliance with Ulvac Inc, Fujimori Kogyo Co Ltd and Dyden Corp for manufacturing of its proprietary "PTA (Plasma Tube Array)" large display.

In an effort to commercialize the PTA, Ulvac, Fujimori Kogyo and Dyden will develop manufacturing equipment, electrode film and phosphor materials, respectively, in collaboration with Shinoda Plasma. The three companies will invest in Shinoda Plasma as well.

Shinoda Plasma is moving ahead with partnerships with other companies in manufacturing, product development and sales areas, targeting commercialization of PTA. The new alliance is related to manufacturing.

Ulvac, Fujimori Kyogyo and Dyden will invest ¥100 million (US$0.94 million), 50 million and 40 million, respectively. Fujimori Kogyo and Dyden are also leading partners in joint research being conducted by Shinoda Plasma and Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Regarding the manufacturing alliance, Shinoda Plasma's Chairman Tsutae Shinoda said, "Now that we've completed the foundation of the PTA module process," Shinoda Plasma is ready to establish a volume production system in the first half of 2008 and start shipping a module in the second half. The company is projecting 120 m²/year shipment for the second half of 2008 and 1,000 m²/year for fiscal 2010, he said.

Shinoda added the company will continue to form partnerships with more set manufacturers with a view to releasing a display product onto the market in the second half of 2008 to early 2009.

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