- [Feature Article 3] Arsenic- and Antimony-Free Glass for Liquid Crystal Displays and Hard Disk Drive
- [Feature Article 1-1] Developing Technology for a Bright Future-Technology Outlook
- [Feature Article 1-2] Developing Technology for a Bright Future-Tackling the Challenge Against Global Warming
- [Feature Article 2] Global Energy Saving through Ecoglass
- [Feature Article 3] Arsenic- and Antimony-Free Glass for Liquid Crystal Displays and Hard Disk Drive
- [Feature Article 4] Creating a Safe, Secure, Comfortable and Environmentally Friendly World with Chemical Technology
- Environmental Products
Feature Article 3 Supplying High-Performance and Environmentally Safe Glass to the World Arsenic- and Antimony-Free Glass for Liquid Crystal Displays and Hard Disk Drive
To help manufacture larger and thinner TV displays of higher quality, the AGC Group started the full-scale production of glass substrates for thin film transistor-liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs), which are mainstream products for LCD TVs, in 1995. Subsequently, we started to manufacture backlight tubes used to enable LCDs to emit light in 2000, and entered the market of glass substrates for hard disk drive used in PCs and car navigation systems in 2005. Although we were not the first to enter these respective markets, we were able to successfully release products by establishing arsenic- and antimony-free production technology based on the idea of minimizing the use of chemical substances that might exert a serious impact on the environment.
Developing a Technology to Remove Small Bubbles from Glass without the Use of Arsenic or Antimony
Arsenic and antimony have long been used as additives essential
in the removal of small bubbles from glass, and it was taken for
granted to use these substances to manufacture glass products
for use in LCDs, backlight tubes, and hard disk drive. These
are said to be the most difficult glass products to manufacture.
Although arsenic and antimony are contained and fixed in glass,
these chemical substances nevertheless exert potentially serious
impacts on the environment and on human health. The use of LCD
TVs and hard disk drive is rapidly expanding, and in order to recycle
them in the future, it is important that they be manufactured with
due consideration given to their environmental safety. In response, the AGC Group started to implement measures not to use arsenic
and antimony ahead of other manufacturers in the world.
Specifically, based on the arsenic-free technology developed
for flat glass, we have promoted technological optimization for
glass composition, furnace combustion, methods of pouring
molten glass, and various other processes, and have become the
first manufacturer to mass produce arsenic- and antimony-free
glass with high precision. The AGC Group will continue its efforts
in technological innovation to manufacture glass products with
higher performance and less environmental impact.
Glass for LCDs
Structure of LCD
Demand for flat displays
Glass Substrates for Hard Disk Drive
