Last week rumors emerged that Toshiba plans to build a new LCD factory in cooperation with Apple. This story was later disproved by Toshiba. Now Japanese Nikkei has issued a report stating that Sharp and Apple are planning to collaborate on a new $1.2 billion LCD factory. 

Sharp builds new LCD factory with Apple
Last week it was reported that Toshiba was interested in building a new LCD factory in collaboration with Apple. Toshiba later said that the report was untrue.


Sharp's existing 8G LCD factory in Japan

Japanese Nikkei now reports that Apple is instead planning to collaborate with another Japanese manufacturer, Sharp. Sharp plants to invest in a $1.2 billion LCD plant designed for small to medium-size LCD panels for handheld devices.

Apple will be responsible for a"large portion" of the $1.2 billion investment, in order to secure LCD panel supply for future growth, especially after supply issues of LCD screens have affected iPhone 4 and iPad.

According to Nikkei, Sharp plans to start construction in 2011 and mass production is slated to begin in the latter half of 2012. Sharp is currently one of the largest LCD-TV panel manufacturers.

Nikkei also indicates that Apple and Toshiba are indeed talking about a LCD production collaboration, although it was stated to be untrue after the first report. Neither Sharp, Apple or Toshiba have issues official details about future LCD plans.

 Source: Reuters