Taiwanese LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel maker HannStar announced on December 17 that it will forge a strategic alliance with Korean LPL (LG. Philips LCD). According to the terms of the agreement, LPL will pay NT$3.17 billion (US$98.6 million; US$1 = NT$32.5) to acquire 3.42% stake in HannStar, in a bid to secure stable panel supply, Taiwan's United Daily News reported.

Through the alliance, LPL is able to leverage HannStar's 5G LCD monitor panel capacity as well as the company's expertise in manufacturing 17- and 19-inch widescreen LCD panels, according to the same report.

Meanwhile, HannStar also plans to invest NT$1.72 billion (US$52.9 million) in acquiring an additional 12.98% stake in Taiwanese color filter maker Sintek, thereby boosting HannStar's stake in Sintek to a total of 19.55%. Sintek is reportedly eyeing the acquisition of a 5G color filter plant from AMTC (Allied Material Technology Corporation), another color filter maker based in Taiwan, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News.