Is plasma set to peak? The experts are saying that 2008 will be the year when plasma sales will flatten out and then in 2009 start to decline.
Plasma-panel vendors will see their revenue peak in 2008 primarily due to competition from LCD and price erosion, according to the research firm iSuppli.
Until next year, iSuppli predicts plasma will enjoy a growth phase in the consumer and business markets because average selling prices (ASPs) will keep falling, making plasma an attractive alternative. However, these same falling ASPs will start to negatively impact plasma market revenue starting in 2009.
The company expects global plasma revenue to climb 7 percent to $8.6 billion this year and rise to $10.2 billion, an 18.5 percent increase, in 2008. Revenue will fall back to the $8.7 billion level by 2011.
From a unit volume perspective the plasma market looks much brighter. iSuppli expects plasma-panel shipments to reach 23.6 million.The iSuppli report stated that Matsushita maintained its panel production leadership position during the first quarter of the year with a 31.5 percent market share, while LG Electronics was second with 24.7 percent of the market and Samsung SDI was third with 22.9 percent.
