Touch-Sensor Technologies Poised for Growth

Total yielded touch-sensor area is forecast to more than double in 2013, reaching 35.9 million square meters in 2015.

SANTA CLARA, CALIF., June 18, 2013—Rapid growth in smartphones and tablet PCs is driving demand for several touch sensor technologies. According to the latest Touch Sensor Market and Evolution Report from NPD DisplaySearch, total yielded touch-sensor area is forecast to reach 25.5 million square meters in 2013 and 35.9 million square meters in 2015, up from 12 million square meters in 2012.

Projected-capacitive maintained its dominance in the touch-sensor market in 2012, with 81.5% of the market. However, other touch-sensor technologies are growing as well, with on-cell touch-sensor benefiting from the growing Galaxy smartphone and tablet PC series, while in-cell touch-sensor growth is driven by iPhone 5 sales.

“Mobile applications—including smartphones, tablet PCs, and notebook PCs—are driving rapid growth for touch sensors,” said Shoko Oi, Deputy Director of Touch Panel and Emerging Display Research for NPD DisplaySearch. “Each of these applications has a different mix of touch sensor types, including glass- and film-based sensors, as well as one-glass solution.”

Figure 1: Total Yielded Touch-Sensor Area Forecast

Source: NPD DisplaySearch Touch Sensor Market and Evolution Report

Touch sensor structures are extremely dynamic, and diversified among various applications, which can lead to different supply chain conditions. For example, touch sensors for smartphones are abundant; while touch sensors for notebook PCs are experiencing a much tighter supply/demand situation, due to fewer qualified makers and uncertainty about the Windows 8 effect.

“Reduction in ITO film for film sensors, thinner glass sensors, and other new materials, like metal mesh and silver nanowires, are becoming more widely available,” Oi noted. “This on-going evolution of sensor structures and ITO replacement materials will bring new competition to the touch-sensor industry.”