According to a recent report from market research firm Display Search, 20% of FPD shipments had green features in 2008, and this share is expected to soar to 70% by 2012 and dominate the market by 2014.

DisplaySearch defines green flat panel displays as those which meet one of the following conditions: using environmentally friendly components and materials; achieving lower power consumption by using new components or technologies; being compliant with environmental regulations such as waste disposal; using production processes that reduce energy and materials consumed; being completely or partially recyclable after useful life; or using green or eco-friendly concepts in product design, packaging methods or materials.

According to David Hsieh, Vice President of DisplaySearch and the author of the report, "Green Technology in Flat Panel Displays: Market Technology and Trends:" “Energy savings is a hot topic globally, whether the economy is good or bad. Displays often have the highest power consumption of any component in electronics products.”

The report examines environmental regulations, power-saving technologies, eco-friendly components, energy-saving manufacturing processes, and panel structure simplification efforts of the main three kinds of FPD, TFT LCD, OLED and Plasma.

Regarding TFT LCD, there are currently four methods used to implement green displays:

* Green Panel Design, like new cell structures that increase panel transmittance or new technologies like PSA, COA, AMVA and SHA

* Energy-Saving Production Processes, like photomask reduction, ink-jet printing of color filters, roll-to-roll production, and replacement of toxic gases in production

* Green Components, such as glass, color filter, liquid crystal, optical films, driver ICs and LED backlights

* Packaging, like space-saving containers for better transportation efficiency and recyclable packing materials

DisplaySearch defines OLED as a naturally green technology, due to the simpler structure, reduced materials consumption, and lower power consumption. For plasma, there are three ways to implement green: high luminous efficiency, eco-friendly materials with lower EMI, and new manufacturing processes for materials reduction.

(Source: Society for Information Dsiplay)