Panasonic to Invest 94B Yen in Sensors Production Expansion

Yahoo: Panasonic announced its plans for the expansion of image sensor production facility at its Tonami plant in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The construction of the new 48,000 sq. m facility will start in September 2008 and production will be launched in August 2009. Its clean room area will be about 10,000 sq. m. The company plans to invest 94 billion yen for the expansion.

The sensors from the new facility are targeted to digital cameras, in-vehicle devices, camcorders, broadcasting and medical equipment. The new plant is said to be able to provide finer pixel features to increase the sensor resolution. After commencing production in August 2009, Panasonic plans to gradually increase its production capacity up to 30,000 8-inch wafers per month.

Xinhua adds that Panasonic targets for 15% market share in image sensors by 2009. Currently Panasonic claims to control 40% of CCD market for digital cameras. Panasonic presentation gives few more details about its expansion plans:



In an unrelated announcement Matsushita Electric changes its name to Panasonic Corporation, effective October 1, 2008.

Update: EETimes also published an article about the Panasonic plans.