Contents | Page 9 of 9

LG Chem.’s OLED Lighting Business Toward LGD. What is the Future Direction?

October 21, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

It was announced that LG Display will take over LG Chem.’s OLED lighting business department. As the department that was leading the opening of OLED lighting panel market is being merged into LG Display, a significant change in OLED lighting industry is anticipated.

One of the merits of this merge is expected to be further improving OLED lighting panel’s mass production potential through LG Display’s existing OLED panel mass production line, labor, and technology. Additionally, when new investment of OLED lighting panel mass production line is being processed, time and cost can be reduced on the basis of LG Display’s manufacturing equipment/material supply chains.

On the other hand, as OLED lighting market is still in initial stages the size is not so large. As such, whether LG Display will newly invest is a key issue. Generally, for display panel companies that invest with market size of thousands of millions of dollars in mind, OLED lighting panel line’s new investment does not seem to have a great advantage for LG Display.

Therefore, if LG Display carries out OLED lighting panel business, the first step is estimated to be mass production in parts of Paju’s AP2 line rather than new investment for OLED lighting panel mass production line. If parts of AP2 line begin mass production first, mass production timing can be much sooner than new investment and can positively affect expansion of OLED lighting panel market.

The issue is marketing strategy. In 2009, Samsung Electronics successfully opened AMOLED smartphone market in Korea via push strategy using AMOLED themed music video that became viral. Much like this, in order to show profit in OLED lighting panel business, LG Display should open the market through push marketing strategy.

Samsung Display Shows OLED/LCD Confidence in IMID

October 20, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

In IMID Display 2015 Business Forum (October 14 – 15), Samsung Display Vice President Hak Sun Kim gave a presentation titled ‘New Experience with Large Screen LCD/OLED’ and discussed Samsung Display’s technological points and strategy regarding OLED and LCD.

Kim emphasized that in the current large area display panel market LCD and OLED should be approached through different points of view and strategies; LCD requires additional value on top of existing technology and OLED should develop a new market that LCD cannot reach.

At present, LCD is catching up to OLED in large area panel through diverse technology development. Kim revealed that the key factors in large area LCD panel are immersion and realism. Immersion can catch up to OLED through curved technology, and realism can be matched through contrast increasing technology.

Regarding OLED, Kim mentioned transparent and mirror OLED display, developed by Samsung Display, as examples and stressed that future display’s worth when switched off will become important. Different from LCD, OLED’s transmittance and emitting areas can be separated and increase the transmittance value above that of LCD; when applied to transparent display, adequate transmittance can be achieved. Additionally, when used as mirror display, OLED’s transmittance and reflectance act independently which makes it more suitable in application compared to LCD where the two act in inverse proportion.

In this IMID Display exhibition, Samsung Display presented 55inch ultra-slim UHD curved TV, transparent, and mirror OLED display simultaneously. It is estimated that Samsung Display will continue their 2-track strategy where they reveal both OLED and LCD in different applications. On October 14, Dong-gun Park, CEO of Samsung Display, announced that they will strive to continue leading the market through unrivaled OLED and LCD technology prowess.

LG UHD OLED TV Price Falls Once More

September 30, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

The price of OLED TV by LG Electronics is falling fast. The 55inch flat UHD OLED TV (55EF9500), released last month, fell to $3,999 in 3 weeks, a 27% decrease from the initial $5,499. This price decrease is much faster than that of LG Electronics’ curved model of 55inch UHD OLED TV released in April.

Samsung Electronics’ 55inch SUHD TV, UN55JS9000, showed approximately over $2,500 price difference in comparison with 55EF9500 between the 1^st week and the 2^nd week of September. However, in the 3^rd week, UN55JS9000 and 55EF9500 each showed 4% and 15% of decrease rate to record $2,497 and $3,999 respectively, with approximately $1,500 difference. This is the highest reduction rate for LG Electronics’ OLED TV.

In addition to the price reduction, LG Electronics is marketing their products aggressively. They are in the process of installing OLED TV this month in 39 key airports in 23 countries including the US, Germany, and Russia, with plans to install approximately 200 units of OLED TV by the end of October.

[IAA 2015] Audi and Porsche, Propose Future Models of Smart Car

September 22, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

At IAA 2015 (September 17 – 27), Audi and Porsche presented OLED lighting and display equipped vehicles.

In the past, Audi has proved OLED technology’s excellence through diverse models and demonstrations, including introduction of ‘swarm’ in 2013 with its 3D OLED car rear lighting panels. At this motor show, Audi revealed Audi e-tron quattro, the first concept car with Matrix OLED technology. As well as the Matrix OLED lighting, interior OLED display was also applied to the concept car. Audi explained that the Matrix OLED lighting, which was applied to the rear lighting, can continuously change lights and does not cast shadow. Full OLED interface was also applied to the car and all functions required in driving can be control by display touch. Audi revealed that they will gradually apply these technology to next generation Audi series.

Porsche presented their first four-seat electric sports car Mission E as a concept model. The instrument cluster for this concept car is displayed virtually in OLED. The menu can be activated through buttons on the handle. It can also be automatically activated as the cluster’s eye tracking system can perceive the driver’s attention. The display also follows the seat position and body attitude of the driver in what is known as a parallax effect; the display moves according to the driver’s posture for easier viewing. Porsche revealed that Porsche Car Connect technology will also be applied which will allow the user to control key functions of the vehicle through a smartphone.

As OLED using lighting and display are actively applied to smart cars, attention on the automotive OLED is also increasing. At the National Research Development Industry General Workshop, held in July 2015, Samsung Display and LG Display each stated their thoughts on display that will be applied to future smart cars.

Samsung Display’s executive director Hye Yong Chu asserted that smart is display’s future, including smart car. She also explained that for the actualization of smart technology, other ancillary smart technology, such as eye tracking and voice recognition technology, are required.

Yoon Sooyoung, LG Display’s vice president, stated that automotive display can be used for CID, dashboard, cluster, and window, and that the development of transparent and flexible technology is necessary.

During the keynote session of IMID 2015, Munhyun Kim of Hyundai Motors revealed that OLED panels will mainly be applied to smart car compared to LCD as it can easily be flexible. He also added that the automotive OLED’s percentage within the total OLED market will increase, and anticipated that it will exceed 30% in 2017.

Porsche Mission E, Porsche Home page

Q2 AMOLED Market, the Largest So Far

September 21, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

According to UBI Research’s Weekly OLED Analysis Report, Q2 AMOLED panels recorded the largest shipment and sales so far. With 56 million units, the Q2 shipment increased by 35% in comparison with Q1, and a 19% increase compared to the same period last year. US$ 2,800 million was recorded for sales, which is a 65% increase compared to its previous quarter.

Last quarter’s AMOLED market growth is due to Samsung Display’s AMOLED panel supply volume for Chinese set companies and increase in LG Display’s flexible OLED panel production for smartwatch.

Hon Hai Precision, Actively Participating in AMOLED Panel Business?

September 17, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On September 9, Tera Semicon Corporation announced the agreement with Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision to supply AMOLED manufacturing equipment worth approximately US$ 79,000 million*. Tera Semicon mainly supplies OLED crystallization equipment for poly-Si and curing equipment

Hon Hai Precision is a world leading manufacturing company that began as an electronics component manufacturing company in the 1970s and became a contract manufacturer in the 2000s. Hon Hai Precision is better known to consumers as its subsidiary company as well as its trade name, Foxconn.

Hon Hai Precision has been consistently preparing for OLED panel production. Hon Hai Precision’s subsidiary company Innolux took over Chimei, which has technology to mass produce OLED, and in 2013 announced plans to establish OLED R&D center in LCD factory operated jointly with Sharp. Additionally, in September 2014, Hon Hai Precision mentioned that they will actively begin flexible AMOLED panel development aiming to mass produce in 2016.

This order for Tera Semicon Corporation is analyzed to be in consideration of Apple’s application of flexible AMOLED panel for iPhone series. Apple is Hon Hai Precision’s best client; of the total manufacturing products iPhone occupies 18% and iPad 17%.

At present, Samsung Display and LG Display are the only companies capable of flexible AMOLED panel mass production, with AUO and Japan Display perhaps joining the ranks in the next 2-3 years. With this Hon Hai Precision AMOLED manufacturing equipment order, heated competition for flexible AMOLED panel supply is expected.

*1 USD = 1,100 KRW

LG Display Opens 2015 Tech Forum in Collaboration with Other Companies

September 16, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Source : LG Display

LG Display set out to discover new technology through open innovation in collaboration with other companies.

On September 15, LG Display invited top global display material and component companies to Paju factory and opened 2015 LG Display Tech Forum. The invited companies included Merck, Asahi Glass, and Sumitomo.

Under the heading of ‘OLED, New Opportunity and Challenge’, 13 key collaborating companies in material, process, glass, and circuitry sectors participated. They promised to share market trend, and LG Display’s OLED and LCD technology development direction and cooperate regarding future technology.

LG Display increased emphasis on OLED; LG Display revealed detailed business strategy for large and small size OLED, and discussed technology and products that should be developed together in collaboration with companies in each stage.

Additionally, LG Display newly established Technology Innovation Award for collaborating companies that contributed to LG Display’s product improvement with innovative technology. The award was presented to Asahi Glass for developing glass light guide panel used in thin panel actualization, and display material companies Merck and Nitto Denko.

LG Display’s CEO Han Sang-beom explained that LG Display could pave the way for OLED with world’s first technology due to much effort and enthusiastic corporation from R&D partners. He also entreated each company to continue to change and evolve through their own R&D competitiveness and creativity and lead the future display market.

AIXTRON Supplies R&D Encapsulation Equipment OPTACAP

September 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Equipment /by OLEDNET

On 9 September, AIXTRON, a deposition equipment production company, revealed that they supplied encapsulation equipment OPTACAP to a major Asian display maker.

OPTACAP encapsulation is a research equipment that handles substrates size of 200mm x 200mm. AIXTRON revealed that this was ordered in the third quarter in 2015 and is scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2016. The OPTACAP’s PECVD technology enables the deposition of barrier film used in TFE process of OLED display, OLED lighting, organic photovoltaic and flexible electronic device.

CTO (chief technology officer) of AIXTRON, Andreas Toennis, said, “thin-film encapsulation is an essential step within the OLED manufacturing process. Therefore, we are delighted to be able to provide an innovative solution to the industry which delivers excellent barrier films at high throughput. Therefore, this solution contributes to a significant reduction of manufacturing costs for the critical encapsulation process step within the production of flexible as well as rigid OLED devices”.

In April 2015, AIXTRON acquired PlasmaSi, located in Silicon Valley in order to develop OPTACAP encapsulation technology.

General Class AMOLED Panel Estimated to be Extensively Supplied. How Will it Affect OLED Industry?

September 11, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Only 2 models of smartphone with the general class AMOLED panel were released in the first 2 quarters of 2015. However, as 5 more models were revealed until August in the third quarter, it is expected that demand for general class AMOLED panel will gradually increase.

Currently 7 companies, including Samsung Display, are mass producing or aiming to mass produce small to medium-sized AMOLED panel of rigid type. China’s EDO or Taiwan’s AUO are believed to be producing in small quantity for samples. Other Chinese companies are also aiming to mass produce AMOLED panel but satisfying the current demand is analyzed to be difficult. At present, Samsung Display is the only panel company that can meet the demand for general class AMOLED panel by set companies. There is much interest in whether AMOLED industry can rebound with the Samsung Display’s movement in the second half.

It is expected that Samsung Display will increase operation rate of A1 and A2 rigid lines in the second half in order to meet the demand for general class AMOLED panel. Following this, emitting material companies’ sales increase is also anticipated and positively affect management of AMOLED industry’s ecosystem.

If the demand for general class AMOLED panel is higher than expected, there are some who believe that additional investment for A3 line could be for hybrid structure that can switch between rigid and flexible rather than flexible exclusive line.

There is much focus on how Samsung Display’s mass production and supply plans for general class AMOLED panel will affect the AMOLED industry growth.

General Class AMOLED Panel Applied Smartphone Released Until August 2015

OLED TV, Pay Attention to China and UHD

September 11, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

IFA 2015 that opened on September 4, closed its curtains on 9. This year’s IFA was similar to IFA 2014 in terms of diverse OLED TV exhibition, but when analyzed in detail there were several differences.

First, the emphasis on UHD TV greatly increased. The percentage of UHD resolution of exhibited OLED TV was approximately 71% in IFA 2013, and 70% in IFA 2014. However, in IFA 2015, the percentage increased to approximately 92%. If the main theme for IFA 2014 was curved OLED TV products, UHD was the keyword for IFA 2015.

Another important factor is increasing participation by Chinese companies. In IFA 2013, only Haier exhibited OLED TV but this increased to 2 companies, Changhong and TCL, in IFA 2014. In IFA 2015, 3 companies, Haier, Changhong, and Skyworth, presented OLED TV. It is estimated that the OLED TV exhibition attendance by Chinese electronics companies will continue to consistently increase.

There is much attention on how many more Chinese companies will participate with OLED TV in IFA next year, and whether a new keyword following UHD will appear. Although IFA 2015 ended, OLED TV market continues to move.

UBI Research Organizes ‘2015 Display Printed Electronics Seminar’

September 10, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

The Opportunity to Understand Printed Electronics Technology

For That Competitive Edge in Global Display Industry

At present there is an intense competition within display industry between countries such as China with aggressive investment, and Japan that is looking for a comeback. For Korea to possess that competitive edge in display industry, a seminar is being prepared. This seminar will provide the opportunity to learn about printed electronics technology that is becoming a key technology and understand latest technology trend.

UBI Research (http://www.ubiresearch.co.kr, President: Dr. Choong Hoon Yi), an OLED specializing company, announced that the 2015 Display Printed Electronics Seminar will be held on October 7. This seminar will take place at The K Seoul Hotel in Seocho-gu in Seoul with a group of key experts who will discuss latest technology development trend in display based on printed electronics.

Printing process or solution process is a new production technology that is the center of much expectation around the world. Dr. Kyung-Tae Kang, the head of printed electronics center of Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, will examine the current printed electronics industry and propose its future. Dr. Kang is also a secretary for IEC TC119 which was established to respond to the printed electronics industrialization.

At this seminar, Professor Yongtaek Hong of Seoul National University will explain technological issues that need to be considered when producing ultra-thin transistor device using printed electronics technology. The printed electronics technology is receiving much attention as it can be applied to flexible elastic substrate, and low temperature process through large area is possible.

Dongguk University’s Professor Yong-Young Noh will give a presentation on printed electronics technology’s development trend and research content for flexible display development.

Also, Dankook University’s Professor Byung Doo Chin will discuss OLED RGB printing technology trend review for efficiency and stability improvement of small molecule and polymer OLED device by solution process, and high resolution OLED technology that can be actualized through inkjet printing. This OLED RGB printing technology based on printing process is a subject of active research as a replacement for the current vacuum thermal evaporation; pixel formation is difficult for large area through this evaporation technique.

Furthermore, essential topics on printed electronics are covered by industry’s top experts.

Technology Trend for Solution Process OLED Material (Dr. Jae-Min Lee, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology)
Technology Trend for Electrode Material and Process for Printing (Dr. chan-Jae Lee, Korea Electronics Technology Institute)
Blanket Application for Printed Electronics and Development Status (Dr. Noh-min Kwak, RPE Corporation)
Printed Electronics R2R Equipment Technology Status

UBI Research will bring together top quality industry experts as speakers toward Korea’s leadership in display industry and host a place of networking where industry-academic professionals can meet. UBI Research seminars, previously held twice a year, will become a monthly event.

Seminar attendance application can be made through the UBI Research homepage (www.ubiresearch.co.kr).

Minus Growth for H1 OLED Material Market with Mere US$ 564 Million*

September 9, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

According to UBI Research, the 2015 H1 OLED material market recorded approximately US$ 564 million; this is a 14% increase compared to 2014 H2, but a 24% decrease against 2014 H1.

Despite reports that Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are selling much larger volumes of flexible OLED applied Galaxy S6 Edge and OLED TV respectively compared to last year, the OLED material market is gradually stagnating.

The main reason for this OLED material market’s downward turn is Samsung Display’s operation level which remained stationary at 50% in H1. This led to stationary material usage compared to the year before. LG Display is producing flexible OLED and large size OLED panel for TV. However, approximately only 100,000 units of OLED panels were sold in H1 and material usage was also lowl. The current capa. is 34K but as the OLED material cost spent in H1 is approximately US$ 36 million, the operation rate is analyzed to be only 30% of the total capa.

The OLED material market is decreasing because the supply price is rapidly falling without increase in production volume. OLED material companies are frustrated at the 10-15% price decrease per quarter. At present, as the only clients are Samsung Display and LG Display, material companies are compelled to reduce the price as the failure to do so could lead toward the termination of business. OLED material companies spend several thousands of millions of dollars annually on development to meet constant improvement demanded by clients. There is much difficulty for OLED material companies as display companies continue with one-sided demands without compensation regarding development cost.

For OLED industry to maintain its continued growth, it requires more than success of panel companies. Material companies that play a pivotal part within the industry have to continue development and production of quality materials in order to create a healthy growth cycle. However, display companies are destroying the ecosystem.

What OLED material companies currently crave is for Chinese display companies to mass produce OLED panels as soon as possible.

* 1 USD = 1,100 KRW

OLED Material Market Revenue 2014 H1 – 2015 H1

[IFA 2015] The Return of the OLED King

Samsung Electronics, the current global leader of smartphone market share, challenged Apple to dominate smartwatch market with Galaxy Gear 2 armed with latest functions.

The exterior of Gear 2 changed to round type. Previous Gear copied rectangular fashion watch, but Gear 2 returned to the classic design.

Galaxy Gear 2, IFA 2015

Gear 2 has the most basic circular shape, but the rotating bezel within the simple design boasts the perfect blend of digital and analog. The rotating bezel design used in stop watch in quality sports watch was applied to add a touch of analog. At the same time, the smartwatch has the digital side from the jog dial used in quality vehicles, merging the analog with digital.

Smartwatches until now had to be touched to change screen. However, Gear 2’s rotating bezel allows the screens to be changed easily through dial rotation.

Galaxy Gear 2, IFA 2015

Gear 2 applied flexible OLED produced by Samsung Display same as Gear with its 1.2inch size and 360×360 resolution. Compared to competitors’ 1.3inch, it might feel smaller but has the highest resolution; Samsung Electronics used a smaller display with better expressiveness. Particularly, absolute black, one of the advantages of OLED, is actualized with this product. The quality of black in previous Gear fell short and the screen wallpaper showed hints of blue. The new display shows that it is of OLED leader, Samsung family, with its brilliant colors using latest OLED materials.

Gear 2 also uses Tizen OS and firmly differentiated itself from other products. In fact, other products employed Google OS and had a problem of basically being the same under the different exterior leading to no particular differentiation factors for the consumers.

However, deserving the title of the leader of the smart device, Samsung Electronics utilized independently developed Tizen and boasted totally different interior.

Galaxy Gear 2, IFA 2015

Samsung Electronics is investing much effort in Gear 2 promotion; with the exclusive booth, visitors can examine diverse forms of Gear 2.

Galaxy Gear2 Booth, IFA 2015

[IFA 2015] OLED TV’s Advantages from Skyworth’s Point of View

September 7, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

In IFA 2015 (September 4-9), Skyworth exhibited 65inch 4K OLED TV in 3 curved and flat sets each in order to emphasize OLED TV’s advantages. Skyworth presented an interesting booth by providing a large screen in the middle of the booth for the visitors to experience OLED TV playing the F1 racing game.

OLED TV is the best TV to show video with fast movements as it has fast response time of u/sec. As the video is not delayed, the viewers can enjoy the contents without afterimage. This fast response time cannot be actualized in LCD TV.

Skyworth booth, IFA 2015

[IFA 2015] Thin Panel Thickness, No Longer Limited to OLED

September 7, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

The thinness of OLED panels, achieved as OLED does not require backlight, is known as one of the big advantages of OLED. However, at IFA 2015, Sony proved that LCD can also be as thin as OLED.

The product, Perfect Wall-mounted 4K UHD TV, is an LCD TV but the thickness is mere 4.9mm. Compared to LG Electronics’ latest OLED TV’s 4.8mm, the thickness difference practically nonexistent.

Sony Perfect Wall-mounted 4K UHD TV, IFA 2015

In order to develop ultra-thin LCD TV, Sony placed backlight on the base and used glass type light guide.

Sony Perfect Wall-mounted 4K UHD TV, IFA 2015

[IFA 2015] Panasonic OLED TV

September 4, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Panasonic that used to lead Japanese electronics industry with Sony is focusing more on OLED TV industry. Until IFA 2014, Panasonic exhibited self-made OLED TV using oxide TFT and solution process OLED technology. However, since CES 2015 Panasonic presented LG Display’s WRGB OLED panel applied OLED TV. It is unusual to introduce OLED TV through IFA 2015 when Panasonic is only selling TV domestically and stopped TV business abroad. According to Panasonic the company is planning to mass produce within 2015.

OLED TV revealed in IFA 2015 is a CZ950 model with 4K resolution. It is interesting to note that special material is used to cover the back of the set to give a furniture look.

Panasonic OLED TV, IFA 2015

Panasonic is also presenting OLED TV and LCD TV in darkroom to demonstrate OLED TV’s superiority in contrast ratio.

[IFA 2015] Directions for LG Electronics’ OLED TV?

September 4, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

During the media day event for IFA 2015 (September 4 – 9), LG Electronics introduced diverse products centering around OLED TV such as LCD TV, G4, and G Watch Urbane.

LG Electronics clearly confirmed that the ultimate TV for the company is OLED TV. At the company booth under the title of the Evolution of TV, LG Electronics revealed that the TV’s final destination is OLED TV.

LG Electronics, IFA 2015

At this exhibition, the OLED TV presentation theme returned to the flat design from HDT’s emphasis on black and previous curved design. Until now, curved design focused OLED TV were exhibited, but with the spotlight on flat design in IFA 2015, LG Electronics strongly hinted that future LG OLED TV will switch to flat products.

Competitors greatly improved contrast ratio through application of LCD TV and HDR. LCD’s basic contrast ratio is approximately 1,000:1, and in premium products currently being mass produced it has improved to 3,000:1. However, as OLED TV does not use backlight, the minimum contrast ratio is 100,000:1 with maximum of infinite contrast ratio. Through IFA 2015 LG Electronics is planning to actively release HDR technology applied products. In order to achieve this, the company will demonstrate HDR transmission with broadcasting companies such as BBC and publicize OLED TV’s black and white’s superiority over LCD TV.

LG Electronics, IFA 2015

LG Electronics, IFA 2015

LG Electronics provided ‘perfect color’, ‘perfect black’, and ‘perfect angle’ as the superior characteristics of OLED TV. These advantages are inherent characteristics that LG’s WRGB OLED TV can provide that show excellence over LCD TV in any environment.

However, the OLED TV presented in this exhibition did not show much improvement from one in IFA 2014, leading to disappointment. It is a point of concern whether WRGB OLED TV has already reached its limitation.

Attention Focused on Silver Nanowire as Key Material for Display

September 3, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

At IPEC 2015 (International Printed Electronic Conference), held on September 1, Professor Sang-Ho Kim of Kongju National University announced that silver nanowire technology is in initial stages of commercialization and will become display market’s key material.

Kim reported that when the bending radius of flexible display is reduced, 2 key issues occur with silver nanowire used as TSP (touch screen panel) material. First, the wiring that are crossed when bending is loosened as can be seen in figure 1. Due to this effect the bending stability decreases.

Fig. 1, Source: Professor Sang-Ho Kim, IPEC 2015

Kim explained that this effect can be solved by welding the two wires as shown in figure 2 using thermal annealing technology, laser process, and IPL photo-sintering technology.

Fig 2, Source: Professor Sang-Ho Kim, IPEC 2015

Another issue is a decrease in contact stability between nanowires at stress points when bending radius is reduced as shown in figure 3.

Fig 3, Source: Professor Sang-Ho Kim, IPEC 2015

During the presentation, Kim explained that this can be solved through undercoating process. This process involves mixing 2 polymers with different T_g (glass-transition temperature) and layering it as in figure 4, and placing TSP on top.

Fig 4, Source: Professor Sang-Ho Kim, IPEC 2015

Silver nanowire has benefit of being more flexible and less resistant compared to transparent electrode material, ITO. As such, it was spotlighted as TSP material most suitable for flexible OLED. Nonetheless, silver nanowire has been considered to fall behind ITO in panel mass production unit cost in display market.

However, haze effect which happens when sunlight is reflected off the silver nanowire TSP has been solved recently, and new touch technology that requires improved TSP functions, such as post-touch technology, has been developed. Accordingly, products that use silver nanowire are increasing despite the unit cost difference.

Kim reported that as TSP sheet resistance can be reduced through undercoating and welding technology and greatly increase bending stability, it is estimated that silver nanowire’s marketability will grow for flexible display.

Korea’s Large Area AMOLED Manufacturing Equipment Market To Record Approx. US$ 8,640 Million For Next 5 Years

September 1, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

According to UBI Research’s OLED Manufacturing Equipment Annual Report (published on August 31), the complementary investment market in Korea is expected to record approx. US$ 8,640 million between 2016 and 2020.

According to the report, once Chinese new LCD lines actively begins to operate, panels produced by Korea’s Gen8 a-Si LCD lines are estimated to fall behind in price competitiveness. Therefore, complementary investment should be processed to transform the a-Si LCD line to OLED line. The report estimated that if complementary investment for OLED is carried out, oxide TFT with less masks is the most suitable backplane structure. This has the advantage of utilizing the most of the existing a-Si LCD line. The report also forecast that future large area AMOLED mass production investment will mainly be complementary investment rather than new investment. Complementary investment signifies investing in evaporation and encapsulation manufacturing equipment while using the existing a-Si line backplane. New investment means investing from the backplane stage. The report analyzed that complementary investment will lead to the decrease of large area OLED panel’s production cost.

Investment cost comparison shows that approx. US$ 600 million is required for new investment in Gen8 Oxide TFT key equipment (20K). However, complementary investment requires approx. US$ 80 million and can save the investment cost by approx. 7 times compared to the new investment.

Mitsubishi Chemical and Pioneer Develops Bluelight-less OLED Lighting

August 31, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical and Pioneer announced their success in developing the first bluelight-less OLED lighting module. The two companies produced this module through a wet coating process for the light-emitting layer and began shipping samples on August 1.

The new OLED lighting module does not use blue emitting materials in the OLED panel and the light from the panel contains a minimal portion of blue light. According to the companies, this is less than 1% of the amount in the 3000K-type OLED lighting module developed by Mitsubishi Chemical and Pioneer.

The panel is a candle-color type with a 1900K color temperature; this is suitable for storage lighting of light-sensitive items such as cultural heritage and paintings, as well as lighting for bedrooms and medical practices.

Blue light, which has a wavelength of between 380 and 495 nanometers, has the highest energy among visible light. This is enough to reach the retina at almost full strength. This can cause eye fatigue as well as reduction in quality sleep.

With the increase of smartphone and PC use, the amount of time exposed to blue light is also increasing. Therefore, as the interest in eye health rises, this bluelight-less OLED lighting module development is worthy of attention.

Source: MPOL

[IMID 2015] UDC Develops OLED Patterning Technology with Less Masks

August 28, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

At present, FMM (Fine Metal Mask) is considered the main method for large area RGB OLED panel production. However, due to shadow effect, mask total pitch fluctuations, and mask slit tolerance issues, there is a yield limitation to this technology. This limitation increases as the resolution becomes higher; minimizing the number of FMM during the OLED panel production has been a key issue in RGB OLED production.

In SID 2014, through a paper titled “Novel Two Mask AMOLED Display Architecture”, UDC revealed a technology that can reduce the number of masks used in RGB-FMM method to 2 from previous 3.

Source : UDC, SID 2014

As shown above, this technology coats yellow and blue subpixels using 1 mask each. Following this process, green and red color filters are applied above the subpixels. Pixels are formed as illustrated below.

Source : UDC, SID 2014

UDC explained that this technology improves lifetime of the display overall and reduces energy consumption as blue voltage can be lowered. Additionally, tact time can be reduced through this technology, and increase the yield.

In IMID 2015, UDC presented research of the same title. However, the content of the presentation unveiled more developed research compared to 2014. First of all, in 2014, UDC announced that the panel’s lifetime could be improved by 2 times compared to the RGB method. In IMID 2015, UDC’s announcement changed the figure to 3.3 times increased lifetime.

UDC also revealed that the technology can be actualized through printing method, and has the advantage of being able to print 2 rows of pixels at once. UDC announced that this is most suitable when OVJP (Organic Vapor Jet Printing) applies the printing method.

A new technology called SPR (Sub-Pixel Rendering) was also announced by UDC in this paper. The 2014 SID paper included a method that did not uses SPR. As shown below in figure 1, 4 subpixels of RGY and B are used per pixel.

[Fig. 1], Source: UDC, IMID 2015

During IMID 2015, UDC presented APR technology applied pixel structure. Figure 2 shows 3 subpixels per pixel.

[Fig. 2], Source: UDC, IMID 2015

In this case, as the pixels can be arranged as shown in figure 3, smaller number of subpixels can be used.

[Fig. 3], Source: UDC, IMID 2015

UDC announced that because APR technology allows the number of subpixels per pixel to be reduced to 3 or less, the number of data lines and TFT per pixel can also be reduced together.

UDC explained that this technology can be applied regardless of the display area or resolution, and will be able to be applied to different types of panels.

LG Electronics’ OLED TV, Increasingly Competitive in Price

August 27, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

OLED TV price, which was considered the biggest issue compared to LCD TV, has fallen once again. LG Electronics’ 2015 new model 65inch 4K Ultra HD curved OLED TV (65EG9600) is now priced US$ 5,999 on Amazon (www.amazon.com). The price that used to be US$ 8,999 even in June fell to US$ 6,999 in July, and it is now down to US$ 5,999, showing rapid decrease. Furthermore, the price decrease is not limited to 65inch products as 55inch 4K Ultra HD curved OLED TV (55EG9600) also fell by US$ 1,000, from US$ 4,999 to US$ 3,999.

There is a difference of US$ 1,500 in price between LG Electronics’ 65inch 4K OLED TV and Samsung Electronics’ premium model 65inch 4K SUHD TV (US$ 4,499). Analysis shows that the monthly average price decrease for OLED TV between June and August is 18% while SUHD TV’s is 5%.

During the last earnings results announcement, LG Electronics reported that UHD OLED TV will achieve price competitiveness in 2016. If the price decrease continues at this rate, OLED TV will be able to aim for market expansion against LCD TV through price as well as its many advantages such as design freedom, thickness, and picture quality.

LG Electronics reduced the price of 55inch Full HD curved OLED TV (55EC9300), released last year, from US$ 2,499 to US$ 1,999.

AUO Unveils New AMOLED Panels in Touch Taiwan 2015

August 26, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On August 24, AUO announced a lineup of mobile device displays and technologies for Touch Taiwan 2015 (August 26-28).

According to AUO, the lineup includes slim, light and power-saving displays for wearable devices, UHD 4K displays for smartphone and notebook PC, oTP-Lite (on-cell touch panel) supporting professional graphic stylus, in-cell touch panels, and a complete series of ultra-high resolution car displays.

Out of AUO’s releases for Touch Taiwan 2015, two are of interest for OLED experts. AUO’s ultra-thin AMOLED display panels are one. These 1.5 and 1.6inch square AMOLED displays reduced the panel thickness to 0.45mm using the glass thinning method. AUO’s 1.4inch full circle AMOLED display which was unveiled earlier this year in SID 2015 will also be presented.

A 5inch bendable AMOLED prototype that will be shown at the exhibition is another. This plastic substrate applied display integrates a sensor. AUO explains that this sensor allows users to bend the panel intuitively to manipulate the size and direction of the display active area. Until now, other panel companies presented flexible or foldable AMOLED displays only in exhibitions. There is much interest in how AUO’s bendable AMOLED prototype works and differentiated.

[IMID 2015] Hyundai Motors, “OLED Application of Automotive Display, Soon to be a Reality”

August 21, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On 19 August at IMID 2015 (August 18 – 21), a keynote speaker Munhyun Kim of Hyundai Motors forecast that automotive display market will become more active, digitalized, and simplified. Kim categorized automotive display applied sectors into 4: cluster, HUD (head-up display) and CID (central information display), and RSE (rear seat entertainment).

Kim revealed that technological trends of cluster are full color, high resolution, and customizability, particularly it can be customized to suit the user through diverse modes. Full color, high resolution, and AR (augmented reality) are the main trends for HUD. Distance guide, direction guide, and lane guide were suggested as examples of AR. CID’s main technological trends are integrated display and insertion of diverse functions. OLED applied CID is being researched. Enlargement, individuality, and mobility were mentioned as technological trends of RSE.

Kim revealed that compared to automotive market which records 3-6% of growth each year, cluster and CID are forecast to grow by 10% a year. He added that although the weight of automotive LCD within the total LCD market is slight, the automotive OLED’s importance is forecast to grow to record 30% or over in 2017.

In the past, 4inch or larger display were mainly installed in vehicles, but it is estimated that small display of less than 4inch will be increasingly introduced. Kim also added that he expects automotive display in diverse shapes and forms will be applied in future.

In CES 2015, Hyundai Motors exhibited AR grafted HUD, 3D-gesture control technology, wearable devices connected to the vehicle, next generation infortainment technology, and ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems).

Kim expected the OLED display application will actively occur in the order of cluster, HUD, CID, and entertainment display. He also evaluated OLED panel that can easily actualize flexibility higher than LCD panel.

[IMID 2015] LG Display Reveals Detailed OLED Plans

August 20, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

During the keynote session of IMID 2015 (August 18 – 21), LG Display’s Sang Deog Yeo, the head of OLED division revealed LG Display’s intention to change the world with OLED together with everyone and strength in OLED industry expansion. Yeo explained that the most important factor in the success of large area OLED is strong conviction in OLED’s success and courage; he also announced further investment for OLED as future growth stimulus.

Yeo reported that TV’s first revolution was a change from black and white TV to color. The second revolution was the appearance of flat panel display and that the third revolution will be OLED. He explained that the key factors in TV panels are design and picture quality. He evaluated that these factors are advancing separately in other display while OLED is improving these issues together.

Explaining in more detail, Yeo reported that OLED has high design freedom as OLED structure is simple, a self-emitting light without BLU. Additionally, each pixel of OLED can operate independently and actualize true black, leading to differentiated picture quality.

In the beginning, LG Display struggled in applying WRGB technology and oxide TFT to OLED TV, which resulted in almost 0% of yield. Even within the company, there were opinions that oxide TFT application to Gen8 panel or larger will be almost impossible. However, the effort including introduction of external compensation circuit and coplanar structure, and compensation algorithm application to brightness and color brought LG Display’s current success of OLED TV mass production.

Yeo announced that much like how LG Display solved OLED TV’s technological problems of the past, they will improve the oxide TFT mobility to 50. He also revealed that LG Display is searching for a method of applying top-emission technology to mass production in order to improve transparent and flexible OLED technology, and researching light shutter technology and improved plastic substrate application technology.

LG Display recently announced their decision to invest approximately US$ 9,300 million centering around OLED. During the keynote session, Yeo reported that LG Display will increase the large area OLED panel’s production rate through investment, specifically from current 600 thousand units to 2 million units in 2017. He also announced that they will expand Gumi Gen6 line which will be used to increase production rate of small to medium-sized OLED panels and plastic OLED panels.

Although there has been speculation regarding this investment, through this keynote speech, it can be forecast the investment will be used in specific roadmap of large and small to medium-sized OLED. For the progress of OLED industry, which is growth stimulus of the future, Yeo emphasized the need for closer cooperation between materials, components, manufacturing equipment, and set companies, and laboratories and universities.

LG Display’s Sang Deog Yeo, IMID 2015

Samsung Electronics Unveils Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus

August 17, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On August 13 (local time), Samsung Electronics unveiled Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus in Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, US. JK Shin, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics presented the new products. Shin emphasized that Galaxy Note5 is focused on practicality and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus on design.

Galaxy Note 5 has 5.7inch QHD (2560X1440) AMOLED panel with Exynos 7422 processor and 4GB of RAM. With a curved back, it is easier to hold in hand. The thickness was reduced to 7.6mm from Galaxy Note4’s 8.5mm. Another new feature is having the S Pen popping out like a spring, and improved writing function. Additionally, even when the screen is off, memo app can be turned on by removing the S Pen.

Galaxy S6 Edge Plus has curved sides to its display, much like Galaxy S6 Edge. The size increased to 5.7inch, 0.6inch larger than Galaxy S6 Edge’s 5.1inch. With the resolution of 2560X1440, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus generally shares same specs as Galaxy Note5.

As both products utilize Samsung Pay and wireless charging, it is analyzed that these features will continue to be applied to future products.

Samsung Electronics have been unveiling new releases of Galaxy Note series at IFA held in September each year. However, they moved up the release by approximately 1 month, and chose Lincoln Center, in New York, US, Apple’s playground, showing active response against iPhone 6S which will be released in 1 month.

Gear A, although anticipated to be revealed during this event, was not presented. It is now more likely that it will be shown in IFA next month.

How Can Small and Medium-Sized OLED Panel Companies Survive?

August 14, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

With the great increase of interest in flexible OLED from China and Taiwan’s small and medium-sized panel companies, diverse issues related to this are emerging.

Recent smartphone trend is moving from high resolution and specs toward diverse designs such as curved or bendable/foldable and flexible display that can differentiate applications. AMOLED flexible display is currently being applied to smartphone and smartwatch. However, only 2 companies, Samsung Display and LG Display, are supplying these high spec flexible AMOLED panel.

Small and medium-sized panel companies do not have the technology to mass produce high performance flexible AMOLED panel and cannot invest in mass production. For these reasons, Chinese and Taiwanese small and medium-sized companies are aiming for finding new applications where flexible PMOLED or low resolution flexible AMOLED can be applied and make mass production investment. Accordingly, set companies’ interest in flexible OLED applied application is also increasing.

Additionally, companies are in agreement that yield of flexible PMOLED that is applied to some smartbands does not meet demand. Taiwan’s wisechip and RiTdisplay, key PMOLED companies, are concentrating on developing flexible PMOLED and flexible OLED lighting. Taiwan’s AUO and Innolux, and China’s Visionox and EDO are also among those that are developing wearable flexible AMOLED.

Diverse application development where lower resolution flexible AMOLED, flexible PMOLED, or flexible OLED lighting, instead of expensive high-end smartphone and smartwatch, can be applied is essential. The outcome of this is forecast to greatly affect the growth of small and medium-sized OLED panel companies.

[Analyst Column] Korean Display Industry Is On Descent

August 12, 2015/0 Comments/in Focus on /by OLEDNET

Dr Choong Hoon Yi, UBI Research Chief Analyst, ubiyi@ubiresearch.co.kr

The analysis of 2015 2Q results of Samsung Display and LG Display shows clear indication that Korean display industry is on descent.

[2015 Q2 Korean Display Total Sales Analysis]

According to the results announcement of the 2 companies, the total of 2015 Q2 sales is approximately US$ 11,000,000,000. Compared to the total sales in 2013 Q2 which was US$ 13,000,000,000, Korean display industry trend is exhibiting clear downward tendency.

2015 Q2 Korean display sales records -4% QoQ, and 8% YoY.

The main reason for the decrease in sales is Samsung Display’s deterioration of earnings results. While LG Display’s sales of the past 3 years remain fairly consistent but Samsung Display’s sales is gradually decreasing.

[2015 Q2 Korean Display Total Business Profit Analysis]

Connecting the high points of the total of 2 companies’ business profit reveal that the business value is worsening as the trend moves downward. This also is much contributed to Samsung Display’s business profit decrease.

[Samsung Display and LG Display Sales Analysis]

According to the earnings announcement of both companies, Samsung Display and LG Display recorded sales of approximately US$ 5,500,000,000 and US$ 5,600,000,000 respectively. LG Display is maintaining higher sales results compared to Samsung Display for the past 5 quarters. Each company’s QoQ showed to be -4% (LGD) and -3% (SDC) and YoY to be 12% (LGD) and 5% (SDC). The simultaneous decrease of QoQ sales of both companies demonstrates that the Q3 sales could also fall.

[Samsung Display and LG Display’s Competitiveness Analysis]

Looking at the profit/sales graph of Samsung Display and LG Display, it is apparent that Samsung Display showed superior competitiveness until 2013 Q3, but since then LG Display averaged higher.

[Conclusion]

The reason for the downward trend of Korean display industry is analyzed to be the fall of display panel price due to the Chinse display companies’ mass production through aggressive investment. Particularly, in or after 2017 when China’s BOE is estimated to begin Gen10.5 LCD line, LCD panel price will fall even more rapidly. This is forecast to lead Korean LCD industry to suddenly lose competitiveness. For Korean display companies that have immense LCD sales to show positive growth, it is time to expand OLED business that can be differentiated from Chinse display companies.

The only solutions for Korean display industry are OLED investment in large scale and conversion of LCD line to OLED line. At the time of BOE’s Gen10.5 line operation, Korean display companies also should respond with Gen6 flexible OLED investment and early establishment of Gen8 OLED line.

HUD and HMD Meet Virtual Reality and Soar

August 10, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

At SID 2015 Review Workshop held in Konkuk University on July 31, Inha University’s Associate Professor Jae-Hyeung Park announced that interest in HUD (head-up display) and HMD (head-mounted display) increased at SID 2015.

HUD signifies technology that provides diverse information for the driver beyond the role of a front glass that simply allows the outside to be viewed and provides protection. Through HUD, drivers can grasp vehicular and destination information without having to take eyes off the road. At this juncture, AR (augmented reality) HUD is more than a simple display as it recognize the user’s movements and applies it to the display.

In SID 2015 paper, Japan’s Ricoh termed the device that self-intervenes in the vehicular operation as ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistance System) and announced that the information from the device applied to HUD will be able to help the user’s recognition and decision making. It was also added that improved AR can be realized when the contrast range is increased to be equal to reality and reiterated and the distance from the virtual image is 5m.

HMD, as a head-mounted device, provides differentiated feelings of immersion compared to other displays. Due to the increased realism from the wide viewing angle, HMD was widely used as an entertainment display, but with the recent increased interest in AR, it is receiving much spotlight as an AR display device.

At SID 2015, the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences of Zwickau revealed an HMD device that actualizes AR naturally by changing the distance where image is shown according to the use by adjusting the focal distance. Zhejiang University’s college of Optical Science and Engineering used method of showing hologram to each user’s eyes using the light field concept that realizes the light strength to all directions from all points in 3D and produced improved AR.

Park explained that with SID 2015 as a starting point, the AR related HMD and HUD interest and research will increases greatly and that the trend will continue in future.

Samsung Electronics released HMD device Samsung Gear VR that can be used by plugging in to Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge. Oculus VR and Sony Computer Entertainment each revealed OLED applied VR headset Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus, and scheduled release regular product in Q1 and H1 of 2016 respectively. Korea’s HLB released AproVIEW S2 which used virtual image distance actualization method, a first for HUD.

Inha University’s Associate Professor Jae-Hyeung Park at SID 2015 Review Workshop

Encapsulation Technology That Can Greatly Increase OLED Lifetime Unveiled

August 5, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On July 29, at Chungcheong Display Forum held in Hoseo University in South Korea, an encapsulation technology that can greatly increase OLED lifetime was revealed.

Encapsulation technology prevents permeation of oxygen and moisture from affecting OLED panel’s performance and increases lifetime. As it is also the last process that decides OLED panel yield, OLED panel manufacturing companies are focused on finding the most optimal encapsulation technology.

The flexible OLED panel that is currently being mass produced uses hybrid structure of encapsulation where gas barrier cover plate is applied to the organic and inorganic stacks of passivation.

During this process, because cover plate with gas barrier characteristics is the key factor in deciding encapsulation performance the materials and technology are very important. The level of encapsulation that OLED panel requires is approximately 10^-6g/m²day. The unit signifies the amount of permeation for 1m²area a day. This amount is same as 1 drop of water in an area size of 6 World Cup stadiums.

Generally sputtering technology is used to form gas barrier layer. Sputtering technology is an evaporation technique where ions of the target material is coated to the substrate as noble gas, ionized via high voltage, collides against coating material.

This type of sputtering technology creates particles and defects during process. As such, in order to be applied to OLED, multilayer is required leading to a decrease in productivity and increase in production cost.

However, at the Chungcheong Display Forum, Professor MunPyo Hong of Korea University, revealed that defect that occurs during the existing sputtering process can be reduced by stabilizing target layer through installing reflector which induces neutral beam to be released.

According to Hong, this technology is sufficient to achieve the OLED level encapsulation standard of 10^-6g/m²day even using a single layer. He revealed that this technology will be able to reduce the production cost and increase the productivity.

(a) Device Immediately After Production (b) Device with Insufficient Encapsulation with Insufficient Encapsulation (dark spot and pixel shrinkage occurs after certain amount of time) Source: UBI Research

[Analyst Column] LG Display Q2 Earnings Analysis and Signification of Flexible OLED Investment

August 5, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Dr Choong Hoon Yi, UBI Research Chief Analyst, ubiyi@ubiresearch.co.kr

On July 23, LG Display announced its earnings results at LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, South Korea. LG Display reported that their Q2 sales recorded approximately US$ 5,700,000,000 with business profit of approximately US$ 420,000,000.

Although sales fell by approximately US$ 260,000,000 (-5%) compared to the previous quarter, it was an increase of US$ 620,000,000 (12%) compared to the year before. Business profit showed approximately US$ 210,000,000 decrease (-34%) QoQ, and YoY US$ 280,000,000 increase (206%).

LG Display’s sales and business profit of Y/Yo (green line) showed U shape of trend of growth in previous 5 quarters but this quarter recorded a fall. It is analyzed that the growth could slow down from 2H 2015.

The drop of the LG display’s Y/Yo growth in this 2Q is much attributed to smartphone market’s slow down and TV market reduction. It is also estimated the panel price reduction due to Chinese display companies’ aggressive investment is reflected.

For LG Display to stop the degrowth, mass production of products that are differentiated from competition, is urgently needed, away from LCD panel that is LGD’s current major business.

On the day, LG Display’s management announced approx. US$ 900,000,000 investment for Gen6 flexible OLED line in order to lead flexible OLED market. The investment location is Gumi factory. Investment location is Gumi factory with the initial investment of 7.5K. It is expected world’s second flexible OLED exclusive line will established following Samsung Display. It is anticipated that up to 15K will be established for this line.

Considering last year’s LG Display’s business profit was approx. US$ 1,100,000,000, the US$ 900,000,000 flexible OLED investment is very large. The investment decision must have been very difficult. However, the reasons for LG Display’s drastic flexible OLED exclusive line investment are because companies that produce LTPS-TFT LCD (LGD’s existing main market) is increasing, and because Samsung Display is already monopolizing rigid OLED market and therefore difficult to secure market share.

LG Display’s CFO Kim Sang-don explained that flexible OLED Gen6 line investment was decided at the board of directors meeting on July 22, and was made official on the morning of July 23. Kim added that the decision was reached so that LG Display can lead the OLED business in terms of technology and to occupy initial market in foldable and rollable technologies. He also commented the monthly capa. of the flexible OLED line will be 7.5K.

Regarding large area OLED panel, it was emphasized that this year’s panel production target remains to be 600,000 units and 1,500,000 units next year, same as the ones announced during the Q1 earnings results presentation. It was also revealed that 34K, approximately 9K higher than current capa., will be in operation in 2016. Addressing the concern of oversupply of next year’s 1,500,000 units while the OLD TV market is still small, LG Display suggested the solution of increasing the demand by active promotion from the second half of this year.

Despite the fall of mid to large size panels’ sales price, from the enlargement of sets and AIT technology applied sales performance, the business profit of approximately US$ 4,000 million was recorded. This is a 34% decrease compared to the previous quarter but a 199% increase from the same period in 2014. LG Display estimates that the sales will increase in the third quarter due to seasonal factors and panel’s enlargement trend.

Korean Government, Will It Give Up Its Top Spot in Display Industry?

August 4, 2015/0 Comments/in Display /by OLEDNET

Recent Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics’ TV and smartphone performance results are causing experts to be concerned over degrowth.

The axis that is centering Korean industry is dependent on these 2 companies and Hyundai Motor Company. In the 20^th century when technology skills were lacking, Korean government and these 3 companies closely cooperated and coordinated product development and market cultivation. The low value of KRW invigorated the 3 companies’ export business. Strong government support allowed development of products that could compete against Japanese products occupying the international market. The potential that allowed the companies to overtake Japanese firms that were dominating electronics industry and increase the international market share was based on Korean government’s diverse interest and enthusiastic backing.

Japan’s display industry collapsed due to several reasons. Their pride that that latecomers including Korea will not be able to catch up to their technology, the discontinuation of investment by overlooking the need of the 21^st century of information for display market, and the disregard of latecomers’ price competitiveness can be attributed to the collapse.

Korean display companies gave up on Gen10 investment in LCD business and began localization in China though establishing Gen8 LCD factory in China. However, Chinse display companies, with the backing of their government in large scale, continue to invest despite the deficit.

If BOE’s Gen10.5 LCD factory is complete, China will lead the global industry in terms of yield, and overtake Korea through China’s domestic market and price competitiveness. Now there are only 2 years left. It is only a question of time before Korea’s LCD industry falls apart.

The only thing that is left for Korean display industry is OLED. As Korean display industry plays an important role in Korean economy, the decline of display industry will have direct impact on employment, export, and domestic market.

However, Korean government is currently ignoring display industry. LCD and OLED have been excluded from WTO’s tariff elimination. China, which is rapidly becoming a new contender in display industry, has agreed with the U.S. to exclude LCD and OLED advocating protection of Chinese market and industry, and other countries followed. China is adding 5% tax for 32inch products or larger; Samsung Display and LG Display are operating LCD factories in China in order to be exempt. The labor force is moving away from Korea to China. Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is overlooking the importance of Korea’s display industry.

To make matters worse, Korean government has no tax regarding manufacturing equipment. When display companies import expensive manufacturing equipment, no tax is added. Recently, due to a low exchange rate of the yen, Japanese companies’ price competitiveness is 1.5 times higher than several years ago. At a time when Korean manufacturing equipment companies are losing heavily in the competition against Japanese, Korean market is actually giving up the market to Japanese companies.

For example, if Samsung Display and LG Display have saved 10,000,000 USD on the purchase of manufacturing equipment, the result is Korean companies’ loss of 100,000,000 USD. Although 10,000,000 USD is a large amount of money to Samsung Display and LG Display, the consequential loss of 100,000,000 USD for Korean manufacturing equipment market is even more immense.

The Korean display ecosystem that has been carefully established is being destroyed by its own government.

Although Korean government is paying lip service to build strong small and medium-sized businesses, in actuality, it is giving small amount of money to large companies and continuing to ignore smaller Korean manufacturing equipment companies. For the future of the smaller Korean manufacturing equipment companies struggling against the weak yen, a system of where they can at the very least survive in domestic market is needed.

Job creation for the young engineers requires more consideration for small and medium-sized businesses rather than large companies that can thrive without any help.

Samsung Electronics Announces Flexible Price Strategy for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in H2

July 31, 2015/0 Comments/in Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display /by OLEDNET

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge

On July 30, Samsung Electronics announced their second quarter earnings results and future outlook via conference call.

The sales of IM (Information Technology and Mobile Communications) department recorded approximately US$ 13,000,000,000, a 1% increase from the previous quarter. The business profit of approximately US$ 2,000,000,000 was recorded, an increase of US$ 17,000,000.

Although the overall sales increased through Galaxy S6 release, due to the supply issues of Galaxy S6 Edge, and increase in marketing cost, the business profit did not much increase. Samsung Elec. explained that due to the decrease in sales of low-mid-price old models, degrowth was shown compared to the previous quarter. However, ASP was much improved due to product mix development.

Robert Yi, chief of the firm’s investor relations team, revealed that 89,000,000 units of mobile phones and 8,000,000 units of tablets were sold in the second quarter. The ASP of these products recorded mid US$ 200s. Of the mobile phone sales, the percentage of smartphone sales was in low 80s.

Yi announced their plan to increase the market share through flexible price strategy for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in the second half and strengthening of low-to-mid price smartphone line up. He also mentioned that enlargement of display size and AMOLED panel use could occur for future lower priced items.

The price of Galaxy S6 Edge that exceeded US$ 1,200 initially, recorded US$ 739 in the second week of July. If the currently operational A3 line yield improves and investment for transforming part of rigid A2 line to flexible occurs, flexible AMOLED panel’s mass production capa. will increase from the second half. This will simplify AMOLED panel supply process, and it is analyzed that the flexible price strategy for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will be feasible.

For the display section, it was revealed that the results were slow compared to the previous quarter due to increase of cost from new flexible display line ramp up and decrease in smartphone demand. Samsung Elec. explained that in the second half, they are planning to increase the market leadership through flexible technology improvement. The new growth power will be achieved through development of new applications such as transparent, mirror, and head mounted display.

Samsung Elec. revealed that there was difficulty in acquiring initial supply regarding the Galaxy S6 Edge. They explained that this was due to the use of new technology, including the large area evaporation technology of A3 line that began operation in April this year. However, the problem has now been solved and reliable supply is possible, and the firm revealed the possibility of supply of flexible OLED panel to external companies. The panels will be supplied to meet the needs of client and market, and some capa. establishment will also occur next year. Product performance and production cost competitiveness are improving, and the firm revealed strategy of increasing the OLED panel sales to external companies this year.

During this conference call, Samsung Elec. revealed that the total sales was recorded to be approximately US$ 41,000,000,000 in second quarter of this year which is a 3% increase compared to the previous quarter. The business profit recorded approximately US$ 6,000,000,000, an increase of 15% compared to the previous quarter.

LGE to Compete with UHD OLED TV Price in 2016

July 31, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On July 29, LG Electronics announced its earnings results at LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, South Korea. Representatives of each business departments, including LGE’s CFO Jung Do Hyun, explained the second quarter results and third quarter outlook.

Regarding the poor sales results of this quarter, LGE gave the decrease in sales and business profit in most of the growth market as the reason. The decrease was analyzed to be from sudden fluctuations in foreign exchange rate which led to global economic downturn. Essentially, it seems LGE believes that their market strategy is not at fault and that the decrease in demand in TV market and weaker global foreign exchange rate led to the fall in profit.

The competitiveness of Home Entertainment (HE) business department increased through strengthening product mix focusing on premium products. However, due to the sudden fluctuations in foreign exchange rate and seasonal factors the global market diminished and an 11% decrease in sales was recorded compared to the previous quarter. Jung explained that the sales in Europe, Central and South America, and Russia increased but most of the growth market showed economic downturn due to weak foreign exchange rate which led to the decrease in sales. However, he forecast that in the third quarter, the premium TV market will continue to grow and increase the UHD OLED TV sales.

Additionally, Jung commented while low-to-medium priced products will be released, sales activity will focus on premium products and announced as the yield of UHD OLED TV panel is increasing rapidly, they will be able to compete in price from mid-2016. He also made a positive estimation that the market will show a growth rate once the foreign exchange rate fluctuations stabilize.

According to UBI Research, there is approximately US$ 2,000 prices difference between UHD OLED TV and SUHD TV, looking at 55inch size in early July. Within less than a month, on July 24, the difference was reduced to US$ 1,700; it is estimated that UHD OLED TV will be able to compete against SUHD TV price from next year.

Answering a question on competition with Chinese companies, LGE clarified that although their growth is rapid, LGE is ahead in terms of patents, quality, and brand power. Although they mentioned that Chinse companies have growth foothold with their large market share within domestic market in China, LGE concluded that the real global growth is not very great. However, LGE admitted that Chinse companies are definitely superior in cost effectiveness. To combat this, LGE announced they will focus on premium products and increase competitiveness, and form strategy of supplying non-premium products to the growth market.

LGE recorded sales of approximately US$ 1,600,000,000, a 0.5% decrease from the previous quarter, and business profit of approximately US$ 200,000,000, a 20% decrease from the previous quarter.

LGD Expands Market Through Active Support of OLED

July 27, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On July 23, LG Display announced its earnings results at LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, South Korea. During this event, LG Display revealed its decision to invest approximately US$ 900 million in Gen6 flexible OLED line in order to lead the flexible OLED market.

LG Display’s CFO, Kim Sang-don, explained that flexible OLED Gen6 line investment was decided at the board of directors meeting on July 22, and was made official on the morning of July 23. Kim added that the decision was reached so that LG Display can lead the OLED business in terms of technology and to occupy initial market in foldable and rollable technologies. He also commented the monthly capa. of the flexible OLED line will be 7.5K.

Regarding large area OLED panel, it was emphasized that this year’s panel production target remains to be 600,000 units and 1,500,000 units next year, same as the ones announced during the Q1 earnings results presentation. It was also revealed that 34K, approximately 9K higher than current capa., will be in operation in 2016. Addressing the concern of oversupply of next year’s 1,500,000 units while the OLD TV market is still small, LG Display suggested the solution of increasing the demand by active promotion from the second half of this year.

Despite the fall of mid to large size panels’ sales price, from the enlargement of sets and AIT technology applied sales performance, the business profit of approximately US$ 4,000 million was recorded. This is a 34% decrease compared to the previous quarter but a 199% increase from the same period in 2014. LG Display estimates that the sales will increase in the third quarter due to seasonal factors and panel’s enlargement trend.

OLED 8K TV, When Would It Be Possible?

July 23, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

The current TV market trends are curved design, large area, and high resolution. LCD and OLED, competing to lead the next generation display market, have both released curved large size premium TV of 55 inch screen or larger. In terms of resolution, UHD grade products are being released following FHD, and displays with higher resolution are being required.

Looking at Korea and Japan’s contents roadmap, UHD resolution OLED TV development is essential as Japan is aiming to test 8K contents broadcasting in 2016, and Korea in 2018. Korea began test broadcasting UHD from 2013, and is aiming for regular application in 2016 for satellite/cable channels and 2018 for broadcast channels. Considering active release of UHD TV occurred in 2014, 8K TV’s market release is estimated to be in 2019-2020. It is analyzed that approximately 3 years are left to prepare for 8K TV mass production.

At present 8K LCD TV have been revealed by key panel companies through various exhibitions, and its mass production is set for 2016-2017. However, only up to 4K OLED TV have been unveiled, falling behind LCD in terms of resolution.

The keys to 8K OLED TV actualization are pixel size reduction and aperture ratio achievement. LCD uses 1 transistor and capacitor per pixel whereas OLED requires 2 or more transistors and 1 capacitor per pixel. This leads to OLED’s difficulty in acquiring adequate aperture ratio and reducing pixel size compared to LCD. The key solutions are developments of top emission structure of OLED panel for TV, instead of bottom emission that produces light through TFT, and emitting materials that can generate sufficient light efficacy from bottom emission produced aperture ratio.

OLED demonstrated its strength as display by achieving what LCD took more than 10 years in 2-3 years. Considering this, although approximately only 3 years are left to mass produce 8K display, it is anticipated that OLED is capable of catching up to LCD’s resolution.

4K OLED TV by LG Display and Samsung Display

Visionox Unveils Newest Flexible AMOLED Panel

July 22, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On July 10, Visionox unveiled newest flexible AMOLED panel of rollable type through their website. The unveiled flexible AMOLED has the curvature radius of 3mm with 20um of thickness, and can be curled into a cylinder.

Visionox revealed that they are “concentrating on flexible AMOLED development and aiming for mass production within 2 years”.

Not only are Visionox working on flexible AMOLED panel development, they are also participating in international flexible display standardization and diverse international standards establishment on OLED. Visionox is scheduled to begin active mass production of mobile rigid AMOLED panel from Kunshan’s Gen5.5 line.

Visionox’s Flexible AMOLED Panel, Source: Visionox

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S2 Release, What is Different This Time?

July 21, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On 20 July, Samsung Electronics announced the launch of the Galaxy Tab S2 (8.0inch, 9.7inch), with the thinnest and lightest metal frame of its size on the market.

Galaxy Tab S2 has thickness of 5.6mm and weight of 265g and 389g for 8.0inch and 9.7inch tablets respectively. Samsung Elec. applied Super AMOLED Display to these new releases with QXGA resolution.

In comparison with the previous Galaxy Tab S, the resolution was reduced from 2560×1600 to 2048×1536. The battery capacity was also lowered to 4,000mAh (8.0inch) and 5,870mAh (9.7inch), decreases of approximately 18% and 26% from existing models. However, with the reduced thickness and weight, mobility was improved, and through the lowered energy consumption the usage efficacy increased.

JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Elec. explained that the Galaxy Tab S2 is not only the “thinnest and lightest tablet of its size ever,” but that “it also gives users quick, easy access to a wealth of superior viewing and productivity features”.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 will come in a variety of connectivity, storage and size options: 9.7-inch and 8.0-inch versions with Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi and LTE, available in 32 or 64GB with MicroSD up to 128GB. It will be available in global markets, starting from August, 2015.

Source: UBI Research

China’s Gen10.5 Investment, Korean Display Companies’ Countermeasure?

July 9, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

At the 10^th National Research Development Industry General Workshop in Display (8-10 July) in Muju, South Korea, industry-academy experts gathered and held a discussion on the future display strategy under the heading ‘Korean Display Industry Crisis, What is the Solution?’.

At the previous keynote speech, vice president of LG Display, Yoon Sooyoung explained that the key points for the third revolution will be design innovation, design freedom differentiated though real image, and picture quality that can closely resemble visual reality. He also added that the third display is OLED that can actualize various advantages such as transparency, flexibility, and high picture quality at once, and considering material/component and mass production technology status, OLED will also be able to achieve competitive prices soon.

Samsung Display’s executive director Hye Yong Chu forecast next generation display will be smart display, human friendly, holographic, and disruptive innovation. Particularly she estimated that thorough size and design innovation, flexible display will be able to create new application and market and that flexible OLED will form the core.

The shared opinion of Samsung Display and LG Display, key Korean display companies, at the keynote session was Korean display industry’s need to lead the next generation display market in order to prepare for China’s pursuit and requirement of active participation and cooperation from industry-academy to achieve this.

During the panel discussion that followed the keynote session, many different opinions were suggested regarding Korean display industry status from academy-industry. Of China’s BOE’s Gen10.5 investment, Samsung Display’s Chu disclosed that investment at the right moment was more important than preemptive investment; the focus will be curved and edge display market expansion and widening the technology gap with latecomers, and investment will be carefully considered before making a decision. LG Display’s Yoon also explained that areas where cost innovation are possible are limited even with investment is carried out as the current display market is different from previous ones. He added that Gen10.5 investment has to be deliberated and emphasized that focus should be on how to make OLED competitive.

Against the China’s aggressive investment on Gen8 or higher, Samsung Display and LG Display’s positions are analyzed to be of same opinion of carefully considering investment while pioneering the market maximizing the existing technology prowess.

UHD OLED TV, Rapidly Catching Up to SUHD TV Price

July 8, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

OLED TV price, once again, dropped down by a large margin. LG Electronics’ new 2015 model 65inch 4K Ultra HD curved OLED TV (65EG9600) on Amazon (www.amazon.com) fell to US$ 6,999 which is a drop of US$ 2,000 from previous US$ 8,999. The price for 55inch 4K Ultra HD curved OLED TV fell US$ 1,000 to US$ 4,499 from its release price of US$ 5,499. The 2015 new model EG9600 series has panel with improved brightness of 450nit from previous 400nit.

The price of Samsung Electronics’ SUHD TV, similar premium product to LG Electornics’, is US$ 4,997 for 65inch (UN65JS9500), and US$ 2,497.99 for 55inch; there is a difference of approximately US$ 2,000 between LG Electronics’’ UHD OLED TV of same size.

The comparison between 2015 65inch UHD OLED TV and SUHD TV shows that approx. 40% price difference was shown in April 2015. However in July 2015, the difference was approx. 30%, showing that UHD OLED TV price further fell by approx. 10%.

These show that the UHD OLED TV price reduction is occurring rapidly. It is analyzed that the biggest factor for LG Electronics’ UHD OLED TV price fall is production cost reduction due to UHD panel yield increase and competition with set companies that actively began OLED TV sales.

UHD TV Price Trend, Source : UBI Research

[Analyst Column] Korean TV Industry, Where to Go?

July 3, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Dr Choong Hoon Yi, UBI Research Chief Analyst, ubiyi@ubiresearch.co.kr

Korean TV industry, according to recent reports by media, is showing a red light not being able to escape the deficit structure.

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics possess high market share in costly premium TV market. However, in 30inch grade market, the two companies struggle against economically priced sets. In order to maintain sales, Samsung Elec. and LG Elec. are managing diverse product portfolio but business profit keep falling. Due to this, LCD panel stocks produced by Samsung Display and LG Display are steadily increasing.

LCD panel business is sinking into a pit.

What is the reason that Korea’s LCD TV and LCD business values can only become worse?

This can be forecast from looking at Japan’s TV and LCD business. Until the early 2000s, Japan was one of the leaders in electronics. However, Japan’s TV business is gradually dying out. Japan’s leading companies, Sony and Panasonic’s TV business began to be deteriorate because of Korean mid-low price products. In succession, Sony ended up spinning off the TV business, and Panasonic stopped TV business other than for domestic supply. Korean TV companies began to dominate the market. However, only a few years since then, Korean TV industry is losing commercial value, pushed aside by mid-low price products manufactured by China and others.

Second is display investment. As Japanese TV industry began to crumble, Japanese display companies had no choice but to stop the investment. The companies could not see a way to make profit through investment even if TV market grew as client companies’ panel purchasing power fell. Korea is the same. Samsung Elec. and LG Elec.’s TV business profitability deterioration led toward Samsung Display and LG Display’s halting the investment. On the other hand, Chinse display companies began Gen10.5 line investment. TV industry relies on assembly business and business network and therefore initial investment cost is low. In comparison, display industry is high risk as it requires large scale investment from early stages. If the business profit falls without investment cost return, companies face great loss and business closure is also not easy.

The third reason that Japanese TV companies are dying out is because they could not produce premium TV. Sony, which lost its competitiveness in LCD TV, tried to strengthen its market leadership through 4K TV. However, the brand value was already down and with the lack of marketing value, Sony easily gave up the market to companies in pursuit such as Samsung Elec. and LG Elec. LCD TV already had no difference in quality whether it was produced by a Korean or Japanese company, and brand value order had switched. LCD TV quality produced by Chinese companies is already reached the top. They are no longer companies who produce cheaper knockoffs. Furthermore, LCD panel production technology of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China can now be deemed equal.

The final reason that stops Japanese TV business from securing market is that they failed to suggest differentiation point in premium TV. Fundamentally, differentiation is not possible for LCD TV. The biggest differentiation factors in the current TV market are picture quality and design. Any company can produce thin LCD TV and curved LCD TV. Panel size, resolution, and QD-LED using color gamut that LCD can actualize can no longer be differentiated technology. The difference of LCD panel and TV manufacturing technology between Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China is already within a year. No matter what kind of product is released, market control has one year of expiration period. Considering the promotion period required in the market is approximately 6 months, the period where profit can be made is shortened even further.

So what is the solution for the Korean TV industry to survive?

As I have mentioned dozens of times for several years, what is left is OLED TV. What LCD cannot do in terms of picture quality and design, with OLED it is possible. Therefore, only the non-LCD products can enjoy the key factors of differentiation in premium TV market.

Existing premium TV is IPTV, a market that Japanese TV companies have been pursuing since early 2000s. Internet connection is possible through TV and allows for exchange of information in both directions. The basic concept of IPTV is watching TV while searching the information on TV via internet. But how useful is this concept at present? The usefulness of IPTV is becoming increasingly low as smartphone is used to search information, use the internet, and even watch TV. With no reason to use the internet via TV, TV companies should seriously consider whether TV with high white brightness is really needed. Rather than white TV with high brightness, it is time to place more importance in the functions of the TV itself. TV screen only uses 20-30% of full white brightness. Films, with outdoor shooting, falls under 20%, and for contents shot at night, black is more important.

Considering ‘blackness’ and design, anyone can find where the solution lies. If the foolish notion of trying to make OLED as bright as LCD is abandoned, there is hope.

LG OLED UHD TV, SID 2015

Samsung OLED UHD TV, IFA 2013

[Lighting Fair Japan 2015] LG Chem, 100lm/W OLED Lighting Panel Mass Production Possible in April 2015

March 10, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

LG Chem estimates mass production of highly efficient 100lm/W OLED lighting panel in April this year. In Lighting Fair Japan 2015 (March 3 – 6) LG Chem announced that they have achieved 2014 target of 100lm/W development, and that mass production will be possible from April 2015. Additionally, they presented the 140ml/W roadmap until 2017, and LG Chem is forecast to keep on leading the OLED lighting market.

Until now OLED lighting had lower efficiency compared to the existing fluorescent light (approx. 100lm/W) and LED (approx. 100lm/W or higher), and was mostly used as luminaire rather than down light. However, if active mass production of 100lm/W products begins, utilization as down light will also be possible.

In this exhibition, LG Chem showcased solution concept of down light, and not a luminaire focused exhibition. They also demonstrated OLED lighting’s competitiveness as down light by securing lifetime of 40 thousand hours. This is approximately twice as long as fluorescent light and rivals LED. The biggest issue for OLED lighting is the cost. If the price becomes competitive through active investment, it is analyzed that the OLED lighting market will grow rapidly.

According to UBI Research’s OLED Lighting Annual Report 2014, OLED lighting market is forecast to grow by 100% of compound annual growth rate and form US$ 4,700 million market in 2020.

By HyunJun Jang, reporter@olednet.co.kr

Development of the high efficiency solution processed fluorescent organic light-emitting device

November 11, 2014/0 Comments/in Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on /by OLEDNET

Korean researchers have developed the highly efficient florescent organic light-emitting device which enables to enhance the efficiency more than three times and is receiving much attention as the next generation display.

This research by the Prof. Jun Yeob Lee, the Ph.D. candidate/researcher Yong Joo Cho (the 1^st author) and the Prof. Kyoung Soo Yook from the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering at Dankook University was supported by the Mid-career Researcher Program funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and the National Research Foundation of Korea as well as the General Researcher Program funded by the Minister of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the research results were published on the Advanced Materials which is the international journal covering materials science on the 15^th October. (Paper Title: High Efficiency in a Solution-Processed Thermally Activated Delayed-Fluorescence Device Using a Delayed-Fluorescence Emitting Material with Improved Solubility)

Using the solution processing, it is expected to ease and simplify the process of producing the organic light-emitting device as the large area compared to the existing vacuum deposition plating.

However the problem is that when a device is produced through the solution processing using the existing fluorescent emitting material, the efficiency (external quantum efficiency) is only 5%. This is much less than the 20% which is the efficiency when produced by the vacuum deposition plating process.

The research team developed the high efficiency fluorescent organic light-emitting device, improved three times more than the previous fluorescent device for the solution processing. Compared to the existing structure, a solubility was increased by introducing the alkyl group as a substituent. Furthermore, the Donor-Acceptor Structure was employed to realize high efficiency by inducing delayed fluorescence phenomenon.

It is anticipated to advance the commercialization of a large scale organic light-emitting device for the enlargement of a future display.

The decrease of efficiency issue was resolved by making the surface film coating of a device smooth through the development of a new fluorescent light-emitting material which is soluble in organic solvents.

And introducing the strong Donor – Acceptor structure, it was possible to improve the efficiency as drawing delayed fluorescence phenomenon. The Donor – Acceptor structure refers to a monomer composed of an entity that donates electrons to another compound and that accepts electrons transferred from another compound.

Professor Lee revealed that “The following research will be continued to commercialize the solution processed fluorescent organic light-emitting device by developing a new material to improve not only the efficiency but also the lifespan of a device and a device structure appropriate for a solution processing.”

reporter@olednet.co.kr

Life of OLED lighting panel, to reach LED

October 13, 2014/0 Comments/in Focus on, Focus on /by OLEDNET

The life of OLED lighting panel is improving equal to the level of LED (more than 50,000 hours).

According to the NIKKEI report, Kaneka developed the OLED lighting panel with a lifetime of 50,000 hours. The panel is 8×8 cm in size and 1 mm thick, and samples are shipped to some lighting companies. Applying enhanced Blue material, the color change due to thermalization has dropped under 40% and the price is about the same.

KANEKA is producing OLED lighting panel with an annual capacity of about 20,000 panels. In the Lighting fair 2013, the company exhibited OLED lighting panels of 50x50mm and 80x80mm sizes in diverse colors of white, yellow, red, green, and blue which are currently sold at about 4,000 yen for the 50x50mm panel and 6,000 yen for the 80x80mm panel.

The OLED lighting panel with the longest lifetime on sale is LG Chem.’s 100x100mm panel with 80lm/W and 50,000 hours.

The UBI Research issued “2014 OLED lighting Report” prospecting the OLED lighting panel market to be open actively from 2015 and reach about US $ 4,700 million by 2020.

<Kaneka announced OLED lighting at Lighting fair 2013>

reporter@olednet.co.kr

OLED for Smart Watch!

September 12, 2014/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

As Apple announces the Apple watch on the 9th (local time), the battle of a smart watch began for electronic companies including Samsung, LG, Apple, Sony, Motorola, and even ASUS. With the Samsung’s smart watch the Galaxy Gear, most of the products are released in the form similar to a square type display electric watch. In particular, when it comes to customer’s willingness to purchase a smart watch, the design is a critical element for it requires features for both electric device and fashion item at the same time.

Reflecting the comments that the design is rather crude, Samsung and LG adopted a new smart watch design. The Galaxy Gear of Samsung expanded the panel in 2-inch, acquiring visibility and adjusted to appropriately fit on a wrist. LG presented G Watch R with the round shape different from previous square types. The most recently unveiled Apple watch took the design of existing square form but highlighted a sense of softness as the surface curves toward the edges.

These all three products employed the flexible OLED which is thin and bendable, and enables different designs more than the glass type LCD as the cutting process is easily modifiable. Furthermore, the display qualities like the color resolution and power efficiency issues were already verified from the success of the Galaxy series which were equipped with the AMOLED panel.

The fact that Samsung, LG, and Apple chose to use the flexible OLED must be noted. From this detail, it is expected that there might be another trend in the OLED market as smart watches – though it is only three products for now- take the flexible OLED when the sales of AMOLED panel for mobiles are decreasing at present.

reporter@olednet.co.kr

[SID 2014] Latecomers catching up aggressively

June 11, 2014/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

AMOLED latecomers; BOE, AUO and Tianma are rapidly catching up the AMOLED development of Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD) at SID 2014.

BOE expressed possibility of investing in TV following mobiles by displaying 55” FHD AMOLED panel. In terms of technology readiness level, it is incompatibly lower than panels of LGD and SDC though, it is considerably fast that it was developed in six months and produced in a pilot line in Hefei.

AUO showed that its AMOLED technology had reached at certain level by unveiling 5.7” WQHD (513ppi) ultra-high resolution AMOLED panel. More attention drew towards AUO’s panel because its production method is RGB+FMM as SDC uses and the high resolution is realized with real RGB strip type rather pentile. AUO also expressed its will on AMOLED business by showing 5” HD flexible AMOLED panel and 1.6” AMOLED panel for a smart watch.

Tianma also unveiled 5.5” HD AMOLED panel. Its performance lags behind the current AMOLED panel, but it ai ms to supply middle-end and low-end panel targeting mass-production of 5.5” FHD AMOLED through continuous R&D.

Challenges of Chinese and Taiwanese makers become serious in the AMOLED market, where Korean makers, SDC and LGD, are dominant, and the latecomers are about to invest in the sector. Thus, it is expected that the AMOLED industry will constantly grow.

<BOE’s55ich FHD OLED panel>

<AUO’s 5.7inch FHD AMOLED panel>

<AUO’s 5inch HD flexible AMOLED panel>

<Tianma’s 5.5inch HD AMOLED panel>

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