Brazil stops backing Foxconn's planned display fab, wants them to make OLEDs, not LCDs

There are some interesting reports that the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) decided to reduce its backing for Foxconn's plans to establishing LCD fabs in Brazil. It seems that the Brazilian Government is not happy with Foxconn's decision to produce LCD panels and not OLEDs - as they were hoping that the company will produce next-gen technology based panels in Brazil.

Foxconn production line photo

Foxconn's investment in the new fab was supposed to be $4 billion (that's only the first phase, the total cost would have been around $12 billion). The BNDES was supposed to fund 30% of the project. BNDES and Foxconn are still in negotiation, trying to reach a new agreement.

Foxconn is collaborating with Sharp on IGZO-based LCD fab technology (with an aim to supply panels to Apple), and is also a shareholder in Sharp. For a long time Sharp's official line was that it does not have any plans to enter the OLED market, but in SID 2012 the company unveiled some interesting IGZO based OLED prototypes.

Posted: Jul 19,2012 by Ron Mertens