Foxconn Takes Over Sharp…what will happen to Samsung·LG?

Hyunjoo Kang / Reporter / jjoo@olednet.com

Foxconn Decided to Buy Sharp for Approx. $ 3.5 billion, Source: Foxconn

 

On March 30, 2016, Taiwan’s Hon Hai’s Foxconn agreed to buy Sharp for about $ 3.5 billion. With this decision, there is much focus on how it will affect Korean display and set companies including Samsung and LG.

 

Foxconn, primarily an electronics contractor manufacturer, became responsible for Apple’s iPhone production and continued its growth. The fact that through this takeover Foxconn now possesses display mass production ability can greatly affect Korean companies that are currently leading the display and set market.

 

◆ Competition with Samsung·LG for iPhone Panel Supply Intensifies

 

A possible scenario for future includes Foxconn becoming a strong competitor for Samsung Display and LG Display in smartphone OLED sector for Apple’s iPhone.

 

Although Sharp is a company that produces LCD, it is estimated that Foxconn will invest in Sharp to mass produce OLED.

 

Apple is expected to release OLED equipped iPhone from 2017, and it is known that Samsung Display, strong in OLED, have agreed to supply the initial volume. As Apple has been close with LG in supply and demand of display, some believe that LG Display will become the biggest supplier in future.

 

However, if Apple’s key collaborator Foxconn begins to produce OLED, it could become a strong rival for Samsung and LG.

Sharp Headquarters, Source: Wikipedia

Sharp Headquarters, Source: Wikipedia

 

◆ Suggestion of Foxconn’s Own Brand Set Production Prospect

Foxconn, despite being a contract manufacturer, became widely known with great growth. As such, the company could branch out into producing sets under their own brand name. Furthermore, with the display mass production now possible with the Sharp takeover, this scenario is gaining traction. According to market experts, Foxconn is now able to expand its smartphone and TV set business. As Chinese set companies are rapidly growing to threaten Korean companies, the prospect of Foxconn’s set business cannot be ignored.

 

One display expert explained that as a key collaborator of Apple, Foxconn can successfully enter the smartphone panel market. He further analyzed that with Foxconn’s expertise in set production, their own brand set release is not too much to expect, and that this will be easier with the takeover of Sharp.

Blossoming April… Hurt by LCD, Heal with OLED

Hyunjoo Kang / Reporter / jjoo@olednet.com

Flexible OLED from LGD(CES 2016)

From April, the display industry is estimated to start mending the damage carried out by LCD with OLED.

 

In Q1 2016, Korean display industry suffered due to oversupply of Chinese LCD panels. Market experts believe that Samsung Display and LG Display will announce large Q1 deficit in April due to LCD.

 

However, the display market is expected to actively improve its performance from April.

 

Dong-won Kim, analyst with Hyundai Securities, estimated that great increase in profit is expected from Q2 2016 due to the increase in OLED operation rate and yield improvement. Also because of profitability improvement effect following LCD panel’s price rebound, the deficit will decrease.

 

LG Display’s performance in OLED sector is expected to noticeably improve. Over 90% of LG Display’s total mass production line is LCD at present. Hence, the fall of LCD price in Q1 is expected to have hit hard and OLED business is also showing deficit.

OLED TV from LG(CES 2016)

◆ After Harsh Q1, Warm Breeze of OLED… Spring for Equipment Industry Too

 

However, this will change from Q2. Analyst Hyeoncheol So of Shinhan Investment forecast that LG Display’s OLED TV sales volume and revenue in Q2 2016 will increase by 144% and 106% respectively. He added that the business deficit of OLED TV sector will greatly decrease.

 

LG Display is anticipating that the deficit will turn to profit in H2 2017, with the business profit of up to 1 trillion KRW in 2017, an increase of 115%.

 

Samsung Display, whose LCD and OLED ratio is 50:50, is expected to show 900,000 million KRW in deficit in LCD sector this first quarter. However, this is estimated to be compensated to some degree by the profit in OLED.

 

Samsung Display and LG Display are actively carrying out investment in OLED panel mass production line in Q1. As well as the investment in turning the existing LCD line to OLED, investment in new OLED line establishment is actively being carried out.

 

As such, with the optimistic outlook on OLED within the display market, flexible OLED manufacturing equipment companies such as Tera Semicon, Viatron Technologies, and Dong A Eltek had been discussed as the favorites of securities companies. In fact, Samsung Display’s flexible OLED manufacturing equipment related key collaborator AP Systems showed remarkable growth recording 12,100 million KRW in business profit last year.

 

UBI Research forecast that Korean companies will strengthen their dominance with their 2016 AMOLED shipment’s 95% occupancy of the global market. As OLED is becoming stronger in the TV, smartphone, and VR market, this will become a huge growth engine for global panel companies such as Samsung and LG.

 

LG G5 to Begin Shipping Worldwide

Hyunjoo Kang / Reporter /jjoo@olednet.com

Starting this week, LG Electronics (LG) will begin reaching global markets with its highly anticipated LG G5 modular smartphone. The LG G5 will debut in South Korea on March 31 and the United States on April 1 to be followed by countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, among others. Approximately 200 carriers and operators worldwide have committed to offer the G5 in their local markets.

As demonstrated at its unveiling at Mobile World Congress last month in Barcelona, LG G5 is a showcase of cutting-edge technologies and rich features thoughtfully designed deliver a more playful user experience. MWC attendees seemed to agree with the philosophy behind the G5 as the device walked away with a record 33 awards including Best New Smartphone at MWC 2016 from the GSMA’s Glomo Awards, the mobile industry’s longest established awards platform for innovation, excellence and achievement.

“Since MWC, LG G5 and Friends have captured the imagination of consumers everywhere with its engaging take on mobile technology,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Modularity has been talked about for years but no one was able to consumerize it until now and we’re happy to take on the mantle.”

Engagement comes in the form of dual 78- and 135-degree camera lenses for ultra wide angle shots, an Always-on Display that requires no button-pressing to get the latest information and Dolby Digital Plus and 7.1 channel audio for cinema-style sound that delivers dialogue and nuanced effects clearly even in loud environments. LG G5 also supports IFTTT (If This Then That), a smart solution that allows users to create a series of action programs called recipes to boost productivity and efficiency.

LG simplified the graphical user interface with a simple, flat look while applying a bright color combination and a semi-transparent blur effect to the GUI. In addition, animation and feedback effects are choreographed at the right moments to deliver a playful and enjoyable experience (https://youtu.be/WqJvMtkmyZI).

The following companion devices, or Friends, will be available in select markets at the time of the G5 rollout or soon after: CAM Plus, LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY (with pouch), 360 VR, 360 CAM (with case), Rolling Bot, TONE Platinum, H3 by B&O PLAY

Prices and exact date of availability will be announced separately in each local market. 

“Can’t Cope Because of LCD”… Samsung·LG, in Despair over Large Deficit

Hyunjoo Kang / OLEDNET / jjoo@olednet.com

 

<CES 2016 Exhibition. Many Chinese Companies’ LCD TV Were Present.>

Due to the oversupply of LCD panel in global display market, the opinion that Samsung Display and LG Display will also not be able to avoid large amount of deficit is becoming stronger.

 

As of March 28, according to market experts including securities industry, Samsung Display and LG display will both face sizable deficit in LCD sector this quarter.

 

For Samsung Display, Q1 LCD sector is expected to record up to 900,000 million KRW. The company is estimated to reduce the overall display industry deficit with the OLED profit of approximately 400,000 million – 500,000 million KRW. Consequently, Samsung Display is to record approximately 400,000 million – 500,000 million KRW of deficit in Q1 2016.

 

LG Display, whose over 90% of the current production line is for LCD, is estimated to be hit more directly. LG Display has been showing profit in LCD until 2015, but is expected to turn to deficit in Q1 2016. LG Display has been showing deficit in OLED, and market experts are also expecting more deficit in Q1 2016.

 

◆ Unlike Samsung and LG’s High Quality, China Floods Cheaper LCD

The main reasons that display industry is having difficulty include oversupply of Chinese LCD, and overall market depression. Chinese companies’ affordable LCD supply, backed by active support of Chinese government, is damaging Korean companies.

 

Particularly, companies such as BOE, which greatly improved productivity with much assistance from Chinese government including corporate tax exemption, have been pressuring Samsung, LG, and others in the global LCD market. As the Chinese companies are still aggressively investing in LCD facilities, the LCD oversupply is analyzed to continue until 2018.

 

Accordingly, the majority of the industry believe that both Samsung Display and LG Display will carry out LCD production line restructuring. In a recent conference hosted by information company IHS, senior analyst Jeong Du Kang revealed that LG Display could restructure Gumi’s P2, 3, 4 production lines, and added that some thinks L6 production could stop following the same of L5 production line last year.

 

As expected, both companies do not officially comment on these forecast. However, most of the industry players believe that the production line changes of the 2 companies are inevitable.

 

One display expert explained that “unlike Samsung and LG which do not accept even small faults, Chinese companies are pouring out products with slightly lesser quality armed with lower price, and will dominate the mainstream market”.

 

He also estimated that as Samsung and LG are nearing the situation where they have to give up LCD, the speed of which OLED will settle as the main player within the global display market will increase.

Samsung, Even if OLED TV is Released, Different from LG

Hyunjoo Kang / Reporter / jjoo@olednet.com

<LG Elec. is Introducing OLED TV in CES 2016>

 

Within the TV market, there is an opinion that even Samsung Electronics which believes it is not yet the time for OLED panel cannot continue to insist on LCD. Experts estimate that even if it is the same OLED TV, Samsung Elec. will differentiate the actualization method from competitors’ including LG Electronics. One of the possibilities suggested is Samsung’s selection of ink-jet printed OLED TV panel.

 

Hyun-Suk Kim, Samsung Elec. Visual Display department’s vice president, who recently announced new LCD based SUHD TV mentioned that OLED TV is premature and also needs technological improvements.

 

However, it looks to be difficult for Samsung to insist on LCD TV only in the long term. China is threatening Korean companies in LCD panel market with superior price competitiveness; there is too much risk for Korean display companies such as Samsung Display to invest further in LCD production line. Although Samsung Elec. is not receiving panel supply exclusively from Samsung Display, Samsung Display is the biggest supplier. Therefore, Samsung Display’s LCD investment reduction is also expected to affect Samsung Elec.’s TV business.

 

Furthermore, Samsung Elec. is in the position of having to emphasize OLED’s superior picture quality over LCD in smartphone business, but highlight the opposite in TV. This is also an issue that needs to be tackled.

 

Despite these issues, Samsung cannot easily start on OLED TV as several problems such as price competitiveness have not been solved.

 

◆ Ink-jet Printing, Can it Solve OLED for TV Price Issue?

 

According to Dong-won Kim, analyst with Hyundai Securities, Samsung Display, with Samsung Elec. as the biggest client, has unfavorable structure for reducing production cost as 65 inch OLED TV panel production efficiency is low in Gen8 line.

 

Kim estimated that Samsung Display will apply solution process ink-jet printing technology to OLED TV with 2018 mass production target in order to solve this problem.

 

When producing OLED TV panel, WRGB OLED method, which uses evaporation method, can only reduce production cost by certain amount as the material usage efficiency is low. On the other hand, ink-jet printing RGB technology finely deposits ink in liquid form and can reduce materials cost. Additionally, RGB OLED has fewer organic layers compared to WRGB OLED and processes can be decreased.

 

For these reasons, some believe that Samsung will select ink-jet printing method rather than evaporation for OLED TV in future. There is also a view that LG Display, which is currently using evaporation method, will also actively consider producing ink-jet printed OLED TV panel in the long term.

 

A display expert explained that although ink-jet printing processes are simpler than evaporation method, that does not necessarily mean materials cost is always cheaper. The ink-jet printing technology is not yet perfect, and particularly for blue the efficiency issue has not yet been solved.

 

He added that Samsung Elec. has strong tendency to differentiate itself from competitors such as LG, and even if Samsung Elec. releases OLED TV, it is likely that ink-jet printing, which is different from LG, will be the preferred method.

Why is ‘Cadmium-free’ Significant? Samsung’s Quantum Dot SUHD TV

Hyunjoo Kang / jjoo@olednet.com

 

<Samsung Elec. Released 2nd Generation Quantum Dot TV. Source: Samsung Elec.>

On the subject of Samsung Electronics’ 2nd generation quantum dot display equipped SUHD TV product, recently released in Korea, display experts consider the actualization of 1,000 nit without cadmium as the key strength.

 

In 2015, Samsung Elec. first launched quantum dot SUHD TV under the name nanocrystal technology. Each quantum dot of nanosize, 10,000 times narrower than a human hair, actualizes accurate color.

 

According to Samsung Elec., the 2nd generation quantum dot technology to produce this new product, an improvement over last year’s. The company emphasized that compared to the previous product, the price was reduced and brightness was improved. HDR (high dynamic range) with 1,000 nit maximum was applied to the new product.

 

The 1,000 nit brightness is the standard figure of premium image produced in Hollywood, US. If this figure is high, screen’s bright and dark areas can be experienced fully even in bright environment such as a living room area.

 

Although not applied to all models of Samsung’s 1st generation quantum dot SUHD TV, 1,000 nit brightness was applied to the majority of the models; that 1,000 nit brightness was applied to the new product is not worth much attention by itself.

 

<Samsung Elec.’s 1st Generation Quantum Dot TV vs. Other Display in CES 2015>

 

◆Hazardous Heavy Metal Cadmium, Why Difficult to Remove?

 

Quantum dot film includes cadmium. As cadmium is a hazardous heavy metal, cadmium including quantum dot film cannot be environmentally friendly. Cadmium use in Europe is limited.

 

However, without cadmium, the quantum dot film’s optical efficiency is reduced. In order to make up for this, LED chips have to be applied which increases the price as well as the energy consumption. An alternative method to avoid this is development of additional quantum dot materials that increase efficiency.

 

For these reasons, some Chinese companies that produce quantum dot display equipped products select to use cadmium, overlooking the environmental issues. Samsung Elec. also emphasized that it is the only company that utilizes environmentally friendly cadmium-free quantum dot materials.

 

Through quantum dot materials’ efficiency and color mapping algorithm improvement, Samsung actualized 1,000 nit brightness without resorting to cadmium and without increase in power consumption. Color accuracy, which is a quantum dot display trait, was also improved by 25%.

 

Samsung Elec. is planning to release 14 models of SUHD TV, from 49 inch to 88 inch, in Korea. This is over 30% increase compared to last year. The price also was reduced by 900,000 KRW compared to the previous version. The new products, depending on the specifications, cost around 6 million KRW for 65 inch, and 4 million KRW for 55 inch.

A comment from a display expert is, “the new product has 1,000 nit brightness is not significant by itself, and color accuracy improvement also is not of much attention as it is an existing quantum dot trait”. However, he also put another comment from his analysis, “1,000 nit brightness was actualized without using cadmium and without decreasing energy efficiency is worth noting”.

LG Electronics Launches 58:9 Signage…Transforms Columns and Corners to Billboards

Hyunjoo Kang, Reporter, OLEDNET

 

 

On March 23, LG Electronics launched world’s first 86 inch 58:9 commercial display Ultra Stretch.

 

Ultra Stretch signage allows places which have been difficult to install signage, such as columns and corners, to be used as billboards.

 

LG Elec.’s Ultra Stretch has the widest screen ratio of the signage released. The display is 2,158 mm wide and 349 mm long, and can be installed horizontally or vertically.

 

Ultra Stretch can be used on media pole, which is integrated into columns within buildings such as airports or hotels, and billboards above building entrances. Total of 16 units of Ultra Stretch, maximum 4 units lined horizontally and vertically, can be tiled. When installed on a separate stand, Ultra Stretch can be moved to where needed.

 

This product uses LG IPS panel, and with ultra HD resolution (3840 x 600), small writing as well as customary images are clearly shown. The IPS panel has wide viewing angle of 178°, and clean images can be viewed from any directions.

 

With consideration for commercial use of signage, it was designed to for easy editing of contents as well as other amenities. The display can be divided into 4 screens maximum and provide diverse information simultaneously.

 

For example, if installed in an airport, the display can be divided into 4 sections and each can show information such as weather, traffic information, news, advertisement, and others. This will allow foreign visitors to easily receive information.

 

SuperSign W media editor is equipped for easy transformation of existing contents to 58:9 ratio. Ultra Stretch also includes around 30 sample styles specific to the product.

 

LG Elec.’s Korean B2B Marketing representative explained that Ultra Stretch is a signage never been experienced and will lead the new commercial display market.

[Light + Building 2016] OLEDWorks Presents Diverse Lineup to Open OLED Lighting Market

Hyunjoo Kang, Reporter, OLEDNET

<OLEDWorks’ Keuka Module, Light + Building 2016>

 

OLEDWorks, an OLED panel lighting production company, is carefully opening the future lighting market with diverse future product lineup.

 

At the Light + Building 2016 (March 13-18), OLEDNET could observe OLEDWorks’ 6 types of Brite FL300 series, Brite Amber, Keuka module and others. The products showed 10,000-50,000 hours of lifetime, average efficiency of approx. 50 lm/W, CRI of 80-90, and with diverse color temperatures.

 

The OLEDWorks representative at the exhibition told OLEDNET that the company is aiming for general lighting market and the OLED lighting market will be actively open after 2-3 years earliest. OLED lighting has advantages of thickness and design freedom, and they estimated finding the killer application that can utilize these OLED merits is the key for the OLED lighting’s success.

 

[Light + Building 2016] OSRAM to Release Automotive OLED Lighting within 2-3 Months

Hyunjoo Kang, Reporter, OLEDNET

 

<OSRAM’s O-ring, OLED Product Applied Automotive Rear Lamp>

 

During the Lighting + Building 2016 exhibition (March 13-18) held in Frankfurt, Germany, OSRAM revealed that OLED rear lamp equipped cars will be on the road within 2-3 months.

OSRAM exhibited O-ring, OLED product applied to automotive rear lamp at this exhibition, and OLEDNET could see the fruit of OSRAM’s steady automotive lighting product development.

 

 

<General OLED Lighting Concept Suggested by OSRAM>

The OSRAM representative at the exhibition explained that OSRAM will continue their focus on automotive lighting and develop products but at the right moment, will enter the general lighting market. The representative added that although only the basic concept of the general lighting is present for now, further development will be carried out in future.

[Light + Building 2016] “OLED is Organic Food of Lighting”… LGD Presents Diverse Lighting

Hyunjoo-Kang, Reporter, OLEDNET

 

<LGD’s Flexible OLED Lighting>

 

OLEDNET visited Light + Building 2016 (March 13-18) held in Frankfurt where LG Display unveiled product line up that can be used to diverse applications such as flexible solution, luminaires, mirror solution, module solution, OLED panel products, and transparent connection solution.

During this exhibition, LGD demonstrated their well-deserved reputation as the world leading OLED lighting panel producer.

LGD presented diverse applications for OLED lighting that many people wanted to know. Although they were not directly displayed in the exhibition, the company showed photographs of OLED applied Korean traditional house hanok, as well as more commonly imagined uses such as cosmetic shop, office, show room, café, and restaurant.

<LGD’s Flexible OLED Lighting>

Speaking to the foreign press who attended the exhibition, Joon Park, LGD’s Head of OLED Lighting Sales & Marketing Division, explained that if world’s first Gen5 OLED lighting (1,000 mm x 1,200 mm) investment is carried out and mass production is carried out in H1 2017, additional cost reduction is possible in comparison to before the investment. Park added that the current OLED lighting places more importance to the user experience rather than profit. As organic food is receiving positive response within the market as premium products, OLED lighting will play the role of organic food within the lighting market.

LGD to Build 5G OLED Light Panel Plant…15,000 sheet monthly

Hyun Joo Kang, Reporter, OLEDNET

LGD is Showcasing it`s OLED Light products at Light+Building 2016(Source :LG Display)

LG Display announced today that it will invest in a new OLED light panel manufacturing facility.

The planned facility will be the first 5th generation (1000 x 1200mm) OLED light panel manufacturing plant in the world. It is to be located in the South Korean city of Gumi, where it will produce a range of OLED light panels. The initial input capacity at the plant will be 15,000 glass substrates per month.

The monthly input capacity could be gradually ramped up depending on the market situation. LG Display expects the increased production with the new facility to give the company economies-of-scale.

This will help the company obtain significant price competitiveness. In addition, the accumulated OLED display technical know-how will allow LG Display to considerably enhance OLED light product quality.

The 5th generation facility will give the company panel size flexibility. With the larger glass substrate, LG Display will be able to produce a wide range of different size light panels, including giant ones. Further, this ability to make giant panels will better enable the company to penetrate the general lighting market.

The investment decision follows the acquisition by LG Display of the OLED light business of its sister company, LG Chem in December, 2015. The plan for the new facility is in keeping with LG Display’s vision of bringing the exciting new OLED technology to customers around the world in the broadest array of applications.

The company will firstly focus on task lighting and decorative lighting in high-end retail stores and in luxury hospitality; and expand to the general lighting market going forward.

Also, the company will focus on automotive and convergence applications such as OLED light panels merged with furniture, architectural materials, electronic devices and more.

Mr. Young Kwon Song, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy & Marketing Group at LG Display, said, “Our OLED light business will further strengthen LG Display’s commitment to nurture OLED as the future growth engine. Based on LG Display’s strong track-record and know-how in OLED display business, we will create synergy with the OLED light business and maintain our strong position in the overall OLED industry going forward.”

LG’s OLED light experience began in 2000 with R&D into OLED materials at the Group’s chemicals affiliate, LG Chem, with production of OLED light panels beginning in 2012.

The acquisition last year of the OLED light panel manufacturing business by LG Display has been creating synergies with its production infrastructure and technology in OLED displays.

It allows the company to save costs through integrated purchasing and shared investments, increase productivity by drawing on the accumulated knowledge of the display business, and help improve production infrastructure and use of technology patents.

OLED light is made up of layers of organic materials which is self-illuminating and consumes less power and also emits lower heat than conventional lighting.

It is environmentally friendly and is closest to natural light. Due to its ability to be thin and flexible, it is suitable for different applications and venues and could create new markets for lighting.

According to UBI Research, a market research firm, the OLED light market is expected to grow rapidly from US$ 135 million in 2016 to US$ 1.6 billion in 2020.

2016, Korea Seizes AMOLED Market…95% of Global Market

2016-2020 Global AMOLED Panel Market Shipment [1 Million] (source : UBI Research)

This year, Korea is expected to secure overwhelming leadership position within the global AMOLED panel market with 95% market share.

According to 2016 OLED Display Annual Report, recently published by UBI Research, approximately 270 million units of AMOLED panel are to be produced from Korea in 2016, approximately 95% of the global shipment.

For AMOLED panel market revenue, Korea is estimated to occupy 96% of the total market in 2016 with US$ 14,218 million. Korea is expected to maintain approximately over 70% of the market share until 2020, and lead the global market for several more years.

This is analyzed to be due to active response by Korean display companies against AMOLED application expansion by influential global smartphone companies.

Samsung Electronics is forecast to sell over 47 million units of AMOLED panel equipped Galaxy series in 2016. The projection that Apple will also apply AMOLED panel to future iPhone series for product differentiation is gaining traction.

Several companies, including LG Display and Samsung Display, are carrying out active investment for AMOLED panel mass production line from H1 2016.

Other than Korea, China is showing rapid movement within the global AMOLED market. China is estimated to produce approximately 11 million units of AMOLED panel in 2016, and occupy approximately 4% of the global shipment, marking the second place after Korea’s 95%. China is estimated to increase the market share each year and reduce the gap with Korea; in 2020, China is expected to hold 24% of global AMOLED panel shipment in 2020.

China’s AMOLED panel market revenue is also forecast to show significant growth with approximately US$ 500 million in 2016 to US$ 13,700 million in 2020, a 20% of the total market.

2016 OLED Display Annual Report forecasts that the global AMOLED market is to record approximately US$ 15,000 million in 2016, and grow to approximately US$ 70,000 million in 2020.

 

[Light+Building 2016]LG Display to Showcase Cutting-edge OLED Light Products and Solutions

Hyun Joo Kang, Editor, OLEDNET

LG Display announced today that it is showcasing its latest advanced OLED light products and solutions at Light+Building 2016, one of the leading global trade fairs for lighting and building services technology, in Frankfurt, Germany, from March 13th to 18th.

Eleven OLED light panels are being exhibited along with four solutions using the panels. LG Display is highlighting the key advantages of OLED light, including the design flexibility that makes it suitable for different applications and venues, as well as its supreme light quality which is closest to natural light, thereby making people feel comfortable and reducing eye fatigue.

The company is exhibiting four solutions using OLED light panels:

Flexible Solution Section

The flexible OLEDs can be used to create unique and creative decorative lighting fixtures. The creativity in design increases along with the length of the panels. The flexible OLED light panels are light-weight and unshatterable. There are applications using 200x50mm flexible panels and 406x50mm flexible panels. The main highlight in this section is an application using many 320x320mm flexible panels.

Transparent Connection Solution Section

The LG Display OLED light panel generates a floating light effect by attaching the panel to glass and providing power through metal mesh transparent conductive film. It can be applied to display cabinets, shelves, and furniture. Especially when it is applied to shelves at stores, the lack of heat preserves product quality while the lack of shadow makes them more visually appealing to customers. The simplicity of OLEDs opens up the possibilities of various designs and applications.

Mirror Solution Section

By embedding the OLEDs into mirrors, LG Display has created a solution that can have a variety of uses. It can be used as a mirror in upscale hospitality settings or as a unique display box in high-end retail stores. When other light sources are used in a mirror solution, they tend to make the mirror too thick whereas OLED keeps the mirror thin and also minimizes glare.

Module Solution Section

OLED light panels allow for easy installation in diverse settings. LG Display is introducing super-slim OLED light modules at the fair with a simple aluminum housing that connects multiple panels into each module, generating unique and sleek designs. The company is showcasing the module solutions in order to demonstrate how well OLED light can be applied to interior design and architecture. It is committed to develop other solutions in order to encourage more and more people to easily use OLED lights.

[Light+Building 2016] Sumitomo Chemical to Exhibit Polymer OLED Lighting

Sumitomo Chemical will exhibit its polymer OLED lighting at “Light+Building 2016,” one of the world’s largest trade fairs for lighting and building technology, to be held in Frankfurt, Germany, from March 13 to March 18, 2016.

This is the third time for Sumitomo Chemical to exhibit its products at the trade fair, following its previous participation in 2014. Sumitomo Chemical will run a booth at the trade fair, inviting the world-renowned Japanese lighting designer Motoko Ishii as the art director for the exhibit.

Sumitomo Chemical’s exhibit, named “OLED JARDIN,” symbolises a “Garden in the Sky” as formed from polymer OLED lighting panels, creating an approachable space of a vast expanse with a taste of Japanese grace added.

In addition to OLED JARDIN, Sumitomo Chemical will exhibit its newly-designed OLED panels, improved for brightness and luminance efficiency from those displayed in the previous trade fair. The new polymer OLED panels, available in a range of colors, shapes and sizes, provide a greater degree of flexibility in the design for various spaces and applications.

Following the exhibit at Light+Building 2016, Sumitomo Chemical will start the sales of its new product line-up consisting of polymer OLED lighting panels in April this year, aiming to further expand its OLED lighting business.

 

 

CYNORA focuses on blue TADF-materials

During the 2nd OLED Korea Conference, the Germany-based CYNORA has presented its current status in blue TADF-based OLED-emitter development.

CYNORA focuses on materials that are able to convert triplet excitons into light via Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF).  While efficient emitters for red and green are already commercially available from other suppliers, there is still no blue OLED material available to match the strong demand for the industry. TADF technology is a promising candidate for highly efficient and stable blue emitter systems. TADF-based emitters offer up to four times better efficiency than currently used materials, which are based on fluorescence.

CYNORA has shown its current TADF-materials for sampling with good color points in blue (CIE 0.16, 0.17) and sky-blue (CIE 0.19, 0.36). The presented materials confirm that blue emission and high efficiency can be combined. CYNORA is focusing its current material development on vacuum-processing following the customer request, as represented in large investments into this deposition technology by the major AMOLED displays makers.

In order to provide more sample materials to customers, while reducing the cycle times for material improvements, CYNORA is growing its infrastructure. The company is extending the device testing capacity by setting up a new cluster tool and hiring continuous experts for the synthesis and device department. Due these actions CYNORA’s emitter throughput will increase significantly.

The strong interest from the OLED industry in TADF-based blue emitters systems has been once more confirmed at this UBI event and allowed CYNORA to further extend its network with the Korean OLED community.  The present expansion of CYNORA management operations, consistently sampling and improvement of blue OLED materials are further strengthening the position of CYNORA as a technology leader in the field of TADF emitter systems.

[The 2nd OLED KOREA Conference] AIXTRON Pioneers New Sector of the Evaporation Technology

At the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference (Feb 24 – 25), Juergen Kreis, Director of Business Development of AIXTRON, gave a presentation titled ‘Cost-efficient OLED’ and discussed AIXTRON’s evaporation process technology.

 

AIXTRON, an evaporation manufacturing equipment production company, bought Plasma Si situated in Silicon Valley in April 2015 to develop encapsulation technology. During the presentation, Kreis focused on organic layer evaporation technology OVPD, OPTACAP, and PVPD, a polymer thin film evaporation technology.

 

OVPD technology deposits the materials above the substrate using the shower head corresponding to the substrate area. Kreis revealed that OVPD technology allows for the optimized evaporation and can increase the material usage efficiency and productivity.

 

Regarding OPTACAP, Kreis emphasized that this is an encapsulation technology that forms multilayer thin film of high flexibility with low stress and cost. AIXTRON had previously announced that they are expecting to supply to a key Asian panel company in Q1 2016.

 

Kreis reported that PVPD is a technology that allows for the advantages of polymer materials and CVD process. He also added AIXTRON is currently continuing to research similar process technology with low process cost and high efficiency.

 

[2nd OLED KOREA Conference] Visionox Reveals Core Keyword for Flexible OLED Surge

On February 24, Dr. Xiuqi Huang, Visionox’s general manager, gave a keynote speech at the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference (Feb 24-25). With the presentation title of Development of AMOLED Display: From Rigid to Flexible, Dr. Huang discussed how the flexible display was introduced and its future.

 

Flexible display is expected to solve CRT’s heavy weight, and FPD’s design limitation. Key issues include thin film formation process, structure that can withstand bending, and materials with high tensile strength. Dr. Huang emphasized that OLED is a display that can solve all 3 issues.

 

In order for flexible OLED to make the leap, Dr. Huang announced that 7 technological developments need to be carried out: encapsulation, TFT backplane, array design, flexible technology, flexible substrate, stress management, and module integration.

 

Visionox first developed flexible OLED in 2001, and revealed 5.2 inch flexible AMOLED of rollable type with 3 mm curvature radius and 20 um thickness in July 2015. They are aiming for mass production within 2 years.

 

Regarding OLED mass production, Dr. Huang revealed that the Gen 5.5 AMOLED mass production line phase1 4K will be increased to 15K until 2016, and Gen 6 AMOLED mass production line is expected to be in operation in 30K volume in 2017.

 

[2nd OLED KOREA Conference] LG Display, OLED is the Next Generation Display that Satisfies Both Performance and Design

In the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference (Feb 24-25), Won-Gyun Youn, LG Display’s head of OLED TV Product Planning Team, gave a keynote speech. Through the presentation, he emphasized the importance of display’s design and performance and discussed why OLED will become important in next generation display.

 

Youn told the attendees that in the last few years, display performance issues, such as 3D, UHD, and HDR, and design issues, such as curved and super slim, arose together. Emphasizing these issues, Youn revealed that OLED is the display that can solve both. He added that in terms of performance, OLED can actualize perfect black and colors, cleanly express movement, and has wide viewing angle. In terms of design, OLED is thin and flexible, and can produce diverse shapes and be transparent.

 

LG Electronics and LG Display recently installed ultra large OLED signage OLED Moment in 2 places inside Incheon International Airport. They also presented OLED sculptures in various shapes such as tunnel, waves, cylinder, and others using 250 units of 55 inch OLED panels at N Seoul Tower. The 2 companies are carrying out aggressive marketing promoting OLED. Regarding OLED’s future, in short term, form factor changes are expected to occur following design change, and in mid-to-long term, the paradigm will shift with the introduction of rollable and transparent display.

 

Youn revealed that at present OLED has to resolve the expansion of the market and infrastructure, and improvement of productivity and technology. In order to solve this, research in improving the TFT mobility by more than 50%, and increasing the efficiency and lifetime is being carried out. He also added that they are researching ink-jet process, manufacturing equipment, and materials to develop soluble process.

 

[2nd OLED KOREA Conference] Samsung Display, Future Display’s Virtue is Design Freedom

Insun Hwang, Samsung Display’s principal engineer of the Frontier Technology Team, announced that as the display market is expanding, the key factor for positive outlook for future display is ‘design freedom’.

 

At the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference (Feb 24-25) hosted by UBI Research, Hwang gave a keynote presentation.

 

During the presentation, Hwang announced that the mobile overtook TV as the medium that people use to access daily media. According to the presentation materials, the mobile usage is increasing each year, while the TV usage is decreasing. Also as the mobile usage of people under 50 is higher than that of TV, Hwang forecast that the number of people using mobile to access information will increase. He added that if the display panel price falls down, the number of the display panels will become higher than the number of users and forecast positive future for the display market.

 

Hwang particularly mentioned that AMOLED applied products will increase as it emits less harmful blue light and is human friendly, giving smartwatch and VR as the current examples. He estimated that the smartwatch market can expand through differentiated strategy with new functions and designs. Additionally, as an issue that needs to be solved, he mentioned that the resolution of VR falls as the distance between the user and display is short. High resolution is the key in VR, and Hwang explained that approximately 2,000 ppi is required for suitable realism. He also forecast that the automotive display will lead the display field and the future market. He further explained that as OLED can actualize the curvature and transparency, it is appropriate for automotive display.

 

However, Hwang also mentioned OLED’s lack in technology. Pointing out that technology for plastic window, flexible touch, encapsulation, and backplane falls short of what the market requires for flexible display and design freedom, Hwang described the need for OLED technology development.

 

Hwang estimated many flexible display equipped smart products in future, and concluded that display’s design freedom will be the most important issue.

[2nd OLED KOREA Conference] Looking at the Future Through Display Trend

Choong Hoon Yi, the president of UBI Research, discussed the trend change of CES 2016 and the effects on future OLED display and market forecast.

 

During the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference (Feb 24 – 25), Yi gave a key note presentation titled ‘Dynamic Change in OLED Industry’.

 

Discussing CES 2016, Yi first gave VR and drones as display related hot issues. However, he defined the 2 products as items that bring enjoyment to the users rather than products that are necessary in everyday life. Yi estimated that the market is expected to grow but with some limitation.

 

The second issue Yi gave was automotive display which he forecast significant growth as dashboard attachment from the exhibitions by automotive and related companies that became more prominent since the last CES. Volkswagen particularly drew attention with IoT function attached dashboard display that can control electronic appliances at home. Additionally, Hyundai Mobis and Denso embedded display for side mirror use on the dashboard.

 

Yi reported that in CES, for TV section which is the most important home appliances, LG Electronics’ OLED TV decidedly stood out. At CES 2016, LG Electronics impressed the viewers by actualizing the blackness of the space and fiery sun filmed by NASA. Samsung Electronics exhibited existing SUHD TV with quantum dot display. Japanese companies such as Panasonic and Sony presented LCD panel applied TV.

 

Additionally, Yi told the attendees that Samsung’s transparent OLED using Galaxy Gear promotion and LG’s dual-view curved tiling OLED promotion of various home appliances were impressive. He added that these exhibitions were only possible by companies currently producing OLED. Forecasting that OLED market will exceed 1,000 million units of shipment in 2020 and mentioning investment forecast following this, Yi concluded his presentation.