Schott boosts capacity for display glass manufacturing

Schott is expanding its production of glass tubing for display screen backlights. Backlights are integrated in the TFT LCDs in laptops, computer monitors, and flat-screen televisions. The company is moving ahead in the effort with the construction of three melting tanks in Valasske Mezirící in the Czech Republic.

“We are expected a stable two-digit annual growth rate,” explains Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, chairman of the management board at Schott. “The expansion of this promising business area will create 100 new jobs at the Valasske Mezirící manufacturing facility, while at the same time securing the jobs based in Germany in the production segment,” he adds.

The company entered the market for the special backlight glass for flat-screen displays three years ago with high-UV-blocked glass. It noted that although most relevant customers are from Asia, it wanted to expand production as quickly as possible. The Czech Republic location is close to the company’s glass tubing specialists in Mitterteich, Bavaria. In addition, the existing infrastructure in Valasske Mezirící can be expanded.

Product for the first the three melting tanks is planned for August, with the other two following a month later. A new melting tank for backlights will also be brought online in June at the Mitterteich site.

—Jeanine Katzel, senior editor, Control Engineering, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Clickhereto start this process.