Taiwan's government-sponsored research organizations and companies including AU Optronics and E Ink Holding are bullish on next-generation flexible substrate display technologies. Thus far, test production results in laboratories have demonstrated that Taiwan-developed flexible substrates are comparable to those from Japan and South Korea, according to the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

    South Korea-based companies reportedly plan to introduce commercialized flexible plastic substrates for LCD monitors and electrophoretic displays (EPDs) between 2011-2014, and will adopt roll-to-roll production process and begin fabricating OLED displays on flexible substrates in 2015.

    Although Taiwan has lagged behind South Korea in the large-size TFT LCD market, Taiwan's development in EPD, which is currently the most suitable commercialized display technology to incorporate flexible plastic substrates, should enable it to gain a leading position in next-generation display markets. Taiwan-based AUO and E Ink have already introduced near market-ready products.

    AUO has partnered with ITRI on flexible plastic substrate development and are scheduled to introduce commercialized products in 2011. E Ink should begin volume production in 2011 as well.

    Roll-to-roll process is another key area for Taiwan in flexible substrate development. The government has helped establish alliances between companies in equipment, substrates, materials, panels and downstream players, and it expects roll-to-roll to enter EPD and cholesterol liquid crystal technologies within a year.