Hong Kong-based LG.Philips Displays is betting on the release of a svelte new line of cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) next year to breathe new life into its ageing display technology in the global television market.
The company, the world's largest CRT maker, will roll out its new 32-inch widescreen SuperSlim tubes in the first quarter next year for delivery to its manufacturing customers in the mainland and Europe.
Those would complement the 21-inch shallow-depth SuperSlim tubes introduced in December.
LG.Philips Displays director of corporate strategy Siegfried Trinker said: 'It's about market creation.'
He said there was a global market for 160 million budget television sets, or 80 per cent of demand, that would be best served by the continued availability of, and improvements to, CRT technology.
'The market needs a display technology that enables viewing experience for those consumers at very low price points,' he said.
Recent market estimates show demand for CRTs for televisions will increase this year to 172 million units, which will steadily decline and reach 153 million units by 2008.