China-based polarizer maker Shanjin Optoelectronics recorded net profit of CNY515 million (US$79.4 million) on consolidated revenues of CNY4.575 billion for February-June 2021.

Shanshan Corp, a China-based maker of cathode, anode materials and electrolyte of lithium ion batteries, in 2020 acquired a 70% stake in LG Chem's polarizer business unit and then established Shanjin.

Shanjin started operation in February 2021, with LG Display, Sharp, BOE Technology, China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) and Innolux being main clients, according to industry sources.

Shanjin currently has four 2.3-meter production lines and a 2.6-meter one, with annual production capacity of 130 million square meters of polarizers. The company plans to expand annual production capacity to 250 million square meters.

Other China-based polarizer makers include Shenzhen Sapo Photoelectric, Shenzhen Sunnypol Optoelectronics and Hengmei Optoelectronics. Sunnypol focuses on polarizers used in smartphone-use LCD panels; Sapo on small- to medium-size TV applications; and Shanjin and Hengmei on the large-size TV segment.

China-based polarizer makers together have 18 production lines at present, and Sapo and Sunnypol each will add a production line in the second half of 2021 while Shanjin and Hengmei will add six in total by the end of 2024.

According to Omdia, there is likely to be global oversupply of polarizers beginning fourth-quarter 2022.