LG Innotek is entering the mid and large-sized touch screen panel market on a global scale based on its latest development of the Metal Mesh panel, the company said Thursday.

Touch screens are an essential component in devices and appliances ranging from smartphones and tablets to laptops and TVs.

The recently developed Metal Mesh touch screen panel reflects a significant technological breakthrough, industry watchers said, as it has been optimized for the mid and large-sized segment.

"LG Innotek said it has reduced the response time thanks to an indigenous circuit that has improved the panel sensitivity to touch by about 30 percent more than existing ITO touch screens," said Jack Jung, a spokesman for LG Innotek. "This is why the panel can be used for a wider array of screen sizes ― from 13 inches to 50 inches."

At the same time, prices were cut down to about one-third of existing panels after reducing key procedures, while the bezel was trimmed to 5 mm or less for 23-inch touch screens. A slimmer bezel gives viewers access to a bigger screen on devices or appliances of the same panel size.

“More and more devices will be utilizing touch screen panels in the future,” Jung said. “We plan on aggressively advancing into the global markets based on high performance, a wider variety of products and a stable supply that has been coupled with price competitiveness.”

According to research firm IHS, the touch screen panel market is expected to more than double by 2016 to be worth $38.7 billion from last year’s $18.2 billion.

With the latest panel innovation, LG Innotek has confirmed its two-track marketing strategy consisting of providing G2 panels for smaller, high-end devices such as smartphones, while putting the latest Metal Mesh into the fore for the mid and low-end markets involving larger screens.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)