TCL CSOT Establishes Investment Plan for 8.6-Generation Inkjet Printing OLED Line Worth RMB 20 Billion

Plans for 8.6G OLED Line Construction by Panel Makers
Monthly Production Capacity of 45K; Equipment Installation Targeted for End of 2026
According to UBI Research’s China Market Trend Report, Chinese display company TCL CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology) is planning to construct a new 8.6-generation (2290x2620mm) OLED line at the T8 site near its existing T9 OLED line in Guangzhou. This investment will be based on inkjet printing technology, with a total investment scale of approximately RMB 20 billion (approximately KRW 3.8 trillion).
The T8 site was initially intended to be converted for a solar project, but that plan has been put on hold, and the site will now be used for its originally planned OLED production line. The T8 project is designed to consist of two 8.6G OLED lines with a total monthly production capacity of 45,000 substrates (45K), and the initial investment will be made for one line.
The investment schedule for the T8 line includes an official announcement in July 2025, groundbreaking in October, and the start of equipment installation by the end of 2026. The general manager of the project has been appointed as Linpei (林佩), and the core inkjet process technology is being led by a Korean expert.
Inkjet printing technology has the advantage of approximately 30% lower capital investment costs compared to traditional mask-based deposition methods. For example, Samsung Display is investing about KRW 4 trillion to build a monthly 15K-capacity 8.6-generation OLED line for IT applications at its A6 line in Asan, Chungnam, which is based on conventional deposition. In comparison, TCL CSOT plans to achieve a monthly production capacity of 45K with inkjet technology through an investment of RMB 20 billion.
Han Changwook, Executive Vice President of UBI Research, commented, “Inkjet OLED still faces technological challenges in brightness, lifespan, large-area uniformity, and yield. Nevertheless, China is positioning this differentiated technology from traditional deposition as a next-generation growth driver and, under strategic government support, is preparing for full-scale mass production. Through investments in inkjet technology by TCL CSOT and ViP (Visionox intelligent Pixelization) by Visionox, China is pushing ahead with the first mass production of large-area OLEDs, aiming to secure technological leadership.”
As demand for IT displays is expected to grow, it remains to be seen whether the commercialization of inkjet technology in large-area OLEDs will determine future market leadership.
China Market Trend Report Inquiry
Changwook HAN, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)