June 2018

The Fraunhofer FEP develops a new technology to produce ultra-smooth polymer films

The Fraunhofer FEP announced that it developed a new technology to produce ultra-smooth polymer films. The new technology can be used to produce low-defect density films in a roll-to-roll based process, suitable for a wide range of applications - including encapsulation films, touch layers and as OLED substrates.

Fraunhofer OptiPerm ultra-smooth polymer films photo

This technology was developed as part of the EU-funded OptiPerm project. The Fraunhofer researchers say that this new innovative process does not require any special processing environment and could be used under standard factory conditions.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 30,2018

Chinese and Korean researchers allegedly tried to sell SDC's OLED technology secrets to China

The South Korean prosecution has indicted several officials that allegedly tried to sell OLED technology secrets to China. These officials include Korean and Chinese researchers - and also a professor at a national Korean research institution.

The Korean prosecution says that the suspects sold 5,130 files containing OLED technologies owned by Samsung Display. Some of these officials worked at a local contractor of SDC. They say that the officials were offered around $180,000 from a Chinese company - in exchange for joining the company and delivering OLED technology files.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 29,2018

Bloomberg: LGD to supply Apple with 2-4 million OLED displays for its 2018 iPhones

In January 2018 it was reported that LG Display is in the final stages of its discussions with Apple, and the Korean OLED maker expects to supply 15-16 million flexible OLEDs to Apple in 2018 (LGD will supply Apple with 6.5" AMOLEDs for its 2018 large iPhone OLED variant).

It was later reported by the Wall Street Journal, however, that LG Display may not be ready to produce these OLED displays in time for Apple. Today Bloomberg reports that LGD will supply OLEDs to Apple this year, but only 2-4 million panels (out of about 70 million panels) - with the rest supplied by Samsung Display of course. Bloomberg did not detail whether LGD will supply Apple with the 6.5" OLEDs or the 5.8" ones.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 29,2018

CLSA: it is too soon to talk about an OLED recovery

DSCC recently said that SDC's OLED fab utilization is starting to improve as production starts for next-gen iPhones and Galaxy phones, and UBI Research also says that the market recovery is starting. CLSA, however, says that it is too soon to talk about OLED recovery.

CLSA agrees that SDC's fab utilization will rise from about 35% to 80% in the second half of 2018, but CLSA also believes that Samsung is not even considering the A4 fab (30,000 monthly substrates) which will remain idle, which means that actual utilization will be lower than stated.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 28,2018

JOLED announces official plans for a 5.5-Gen printed OLED fab in Ishikawa, Japan

Towards the end of 2017, JOLED started commercial production of its 21.6" 4K OLED panels. But this is very low volume production (at JOLED's pilot 4.5-Gen line) as the company said it is seeking to raise $900 million to support its plan to start mass producing OLEDs in 2019.

JOLED Nomi OLED fab render (June 2018)

Today JOLED announced official plans for its first mass production printed OLED fab. JOLED will establish the production site in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The capacity of the new fab will be 20,000 monthly 5.5-Gen (1300x1500 mm) substrates and the plan is to begin mass production in 2020. JOLED will produce 10- to 32-inch OLED displays for automotive displays, high-end monitors and more.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 27,2018

ETNews: SDC is building a QD-OLED TV pilot production line

In February 2018 it was first reported that Samsung Display is developing TV panels based on hybrid quantum-dots and OLED architecture (QD-OLED). Samsung later confirmed it is developing such technology, but with no immediate plans to commercialize it.

Samsung QD-OLED structure (UBI Research)

ETNews now reports that Samsung is now working to establish a pilot 8-Gen line for QD-OLED production. ETNews says that Samsung is collaborating with both Canon Tokki and Kateeva to develop the production equipment - apparently the OLED layers will be evaporated using Canon's machines while the QD filters will be deposited using ink-jet printing equipment made by Kateeva. Samsung aims to finalize the production line by the second half of 2019.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 25,2018

Emirates Airlines unveils its newest first class suites with virtual windows, could be OLED displays

Emirates Airlines unveiled the first class suite on board of its newest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft - with virtual windows. These displays are connected directly to cameras outside the aircraft but can also show other images. This has several advantages - images can be tailored to help combat jet lag, the plane can be lighter, stronger, faster and more efficient. It is not entirely clear, but it is reported that the Emirates is using OLED displays.

Emirates - first class suite with virtual windows

The idea of using virtual OLED displays instead of aircraft windows has been discussed several times before. The aerospace industry has been slow to adopt OLEDs - the first application was Bombardier's nice Touch cabin management system on Lufthansa Technik's Global 7000 business aircraft, which uses a dial with a small OLED (probably PMOLED) display. The system was announced in May 2018.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 25,2018

Calling out to OLED companies in need of funds

Are you looking to raise funds for your OLED business? OLED-Info may have the perfect solution! Stay tuned for more details on our soon-to-be-launched platform for OLED equity crowdfunding.

OLED crowdfunding - investor outreach

As we are working on the finishing touches of this platform, we are calling out to interested companies who'd like to hear more and start the process early. Contact us for more info!

Read the full story Posted: Jun 21,2018

Merck opens a new OLED technology center in Shanghai, China

Merck opened a new OLED technology center in Shanghai. The new center will provide local customers with tailor-made solutions to enable innovative OLED application development.

Merck Shanghai OLED center inauguration ceremony photo

Merck says that the new center offers a range of state-of-the-art equipment and clean room facilities that enable OLED device fabrication and characterization.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 20,2018