Dec. 11, 2000

Acer Display Technology Corp. will set aside at least 1 billion Taiwan-dollars ( approx. US$ 30,3 million ) to set up a large-scale research and development center in 2001.

The decision comes despite the lackluster performance of the thin film transistor liquid crystal display ( TFT-LCD) industry and the plunging prices of FTF-LCD panels.

The proposed center will be located at the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park in northern Taiwan. It will focus on the development of TFT-LCDs and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Acer will recruit more than 100 engineers next year to develop the new technologies, doubling its existing R & D team.

The short-term objectives of the center are to develop medium and small TFT-LCDs and reflective TFT-LCDs. The center will later develop OLED and low-temperature multi-silicon TFT-LCDs.