Can Transparent OLED Be OLED Industry’s New Growth Engine?

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According to Transparent OLED Display Report 2016, published by UBI Research, large area transparent AMOLED market is expected to record approximately US$ 5,300 million by 2020.

 

UBI Research revealed that “transparent OLED, with its high transmittance, is likely to be applied to transparent advertisement display such as showcases that has to properly actualize what is behind the display. Also, as the viewing angle is wide and color gamut and visibility are high, it will be widely used as transportation display such as automotive”. Furthermore, UBI Research added that as it is easy to produce flexible product and can be utilized in diverse applications that will be newly designed, market potential is very high.

 

Transparent display is a display that can recognize/process/communicate information via optically transparent display using transparent electronic device. This is a device that is ordinarily transparent as glass and functions as monitor or TV as needed. As the area where the information is shown is transparent and objects behind the display can be seen, spatial/visual limitation can be overcome and diverse application and expansion of existing display market can be anticipated. Particularly, transparent OLED’s transmittance is approximately twice as high as transparent LCD (using the recently release panel), and simple to bend. As such, key panel companies are inclined to actively develop transparent OLED.

 

In 2015, Samsung Display revealed world’s first 55 inch FHD transparent OLED with 45% transmittance and plan to mass produce from 2016. LG Display is also developing transparent OLED through project titled “60 inch or larger UD level transparent flexible display with transmittance of 40% or higher” that began in 2012. China’s BOE presented 9.55 inch transparent flexible OLED panel with 30% transmittance in SID 2015 and is actively carrying out research.

 

From these companies’ transparent OLED development, transparent OLED is anticipated to play a big role in future display market expansion.

Large Area AMOLED Market Forecast

[CES 2016] What is This Year’s Trend?

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At the press event of CES 2016 (January 6-9), CEA revealed that this year’s CES trends are as follows:

  1. Ambient sensing
  2. Aggregated learning
  3. A maturing of nascent ecosystems.

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Ambient sensing includes products with motion/touch sensors, calorie analyzing sensor, and products that automatically adjust water volume after checking the weight of the laundry. Aggregated learning’s representative technology and products are driverless vehicles. Lastly, the maturing of nascent ecosystems includes VR (virtual reality), UHD, wearable device with health and fitness function, drone, 3D printer, and smart home.

 

Compared to last year’s trends, what has been most changed was the part where the automotive related technology was introduced as adaptive customization within permeation of logic in CES 2015.

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However, this year the aggregated learning was changed to autonomous vehicle (i.e. driverless car) and demonstrated CES’ high expectations for future automotive industry.

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UBI Research to Host the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference

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UBI Research (president: Choong Hoon Yi), an OLED specializing company, announced that they will host the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference (February 24-25, 2016) at The K Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. Following the hugely successful 1st OLED KOREA Conference in April this year, the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference is expected to be an opportunity to discuss even wider range of issues from diverse perspectives.

 

OLED is continually widening its application scope and usage through TV, automotive, lighting, smartphone industries among others. This event is organized to review each sector’s response strategy and current limitations, and find solutions through in-depth discussion.

 

President of UBI Research, Choong Hoon Yi stated that “UBI Research is holding an event in Korea, a leading country in display industry, to highlight global future industries, including display sector, that can be developed and evolved and discuss current issues”.

 

OLED KOREA Conference is one of the largest conferences in OLED industry where the attendees can discuss issues on key technology development, investment, and market in one place. Its focus is on the exchange of information and thoughts to respond to rapidly changing OLED industry through the OLED experts’ in-depth understanding of the market and technology.

 

Accordingly, for the key conference speakers, UBI Research is actively inviting world renowned experts in OLED related industry including Korean and Chinese panel, manufacturing equipment, materials, and lighting companies, and leaders in academia and industry. Following the 1st OLED KOREA Conference which had approximately 130 attendees, over 200 key players in the OLED industry are anticipated to attend the 2nd event.

 

UBI Research is also hosting a separate VIP dinner event during the conference period. The dinner is expected to be a great networking opportunity where OLED industry, academia, and research board members and experts can freely discuss OLED industry. Inquiries can be made through UBI Research website.

 

The conference registration is available through the 2nd OLED KOREA Conference homepage (www.oledkoreaconference.com).

 

Looking Ahead to 2016 OLED Industry through Keywords

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  1. Flexible AMOLED Investment

In 2016, flexible AMOLED mass production line investment is expected to be actively carried out by Samsung Display, LG Display, BOE, and Japan Display. For Samsung Display to apply flexible AMOLED panel to the new Galaxy model, the mass production line investment is necessary. If they supply flexible AMOLED panel to Apple, volume of the flexible AMOLED mass production to be invested in 2016 is estimated to be grow significantly. LG Display also is expected to actively carry out flexible AMOLED line manufacturing equipment order for Gumi’s P6 line, as well as additional flexible AMOLED mass production line investment following Apple’s demand. BOE is estimated to seriously begin orders for Chengdu’s Gen6 45K flexible AMOLED mass production line.

 

  1. P10

With the announcement of new factory establishment and 1.84 billion KRW investment for part of facilities in Q4 2015, as the first step of the investment, LG Display began site construction for P10 line factory that can produce large area panel. However, the investment direction has not yet been decided. P10 could be directed to only producing large area LCD panel, large area OLED panel, small-to-medium size OLED panel, or large area and small-to-medium size OLED panel simultaneously. China’s Gen8 LCD facilities investment is quite advanced and BOE’s Gen10.5 LCD line investment has also been confirmed. As such how much LG Display’s large area LCD can bring profit has to be carefully considered. Additionally, with the increase of OLED TV consumption and the supply of OLED panel to Apple practically confirmed, OLED investment is essential. P10, Gen11 line, is the world’s largest factory site, and depending on the investment direction in 2016, it is estimated to affect OLED market’s opening time.

 

  1. Chinese OLED

Everdisplay is supplying AMOLED panel to some several Chinese set companies, and Visionox is also expected to actively supply AMOLED panel from 2016. As such, most of Chinese OLED panel companies’ OLED mass production preparation is anticipated to conclude in 2016. Accordingly, second investment by companies including Everdisplay, Visionox, and Tianma is analyzed to be possible and serious movement by China’s OLED industry could occur.

 

  1. Evaporation Equipment

Flexible AMOLED mass production line investment by Samsung Display, LG Display, Japan Display, and BOE, and other Chinese OLED panel companies’ additional installation are expected to be actively carried out from 2016. Amidst this, order of evaporation equipment, OLED production’s essential component, is expected to be an issue.

 

Evaporation equipment currently being used in mass production is mostly Japanese Canon Tokki’s. As this evaporation equipment has been verified in mass production, it is estimated that most companies, including Samsung Display, LG Display, BOE, and JDI, will want to order Canon Tokki’s evaporation equipment. However, as the production capa. of Canon Tokki’s evaporation equipment is limited, the issue is expected to be which panel company will be able to order early. At the same time, this could be a new opportunity for Korean evaporation equipment companies.

 

  1. Samsung OLED TV

At present, the TV industry trend is moving to OLED from LCD. Accordingly, Samsung Display is continuing research to resume their large area OLED for TV panel business. It is analyzed that Samsung Display possesses RGB OLED technology that uses SMS evaporation method, white OLED, and solution process OLED technology. However, as each technology has its drawbacks, they are carefully considering future directions. First, RGB OLED technology is estimated to lack Gen8 mother glass substrate evaporation equipment at present. Solution process OLED method has low material performance. For white OLED, as the key patents are owned by LG Display, technology that avoids these has to be first developed. Therefore, much attention is focused on which technology Samsung Display will use and invest in production line to enter the TV market.

Reviewing 2015 OLED Industry through Keywords

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  1. OLED TV

OLED TV, first released in Q4 2013, recorded approximately 50,000 units of shipment each in Q1 and 2 this year. The shipment increased to 100,000 units in Q3, more than twice the amount of each quarter in H1 2015. As it is estimated that close to 200,000 units were released in Q4, over 90% of LG Display’s 2015 target is expected to be achieved. This is considered to be showing price competitiveness against other TV as the price of OLED TV fell to 1/2 of the initial price and effectiveness of aggressive marketing emphasizing the advantages of OLED TV compared to newly released LCD TV. In Q3 earnings results announcement, LG Display revealed their plan of 1,000,000 units of OLED TV panel shipment in 2016 and forecast OLED TV’s growth. For the industry, 2015 has been the year that secured foothold for OLED TV’s market expansion.

 

  1. Galaxy S6 Edge

At the time of Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge’s release, Samsung Electronics estimated the initial supply to be 50:50. However, Galaxy S6 Edge showed 70% in actual demand and this led to shortage in supply. Samsung Display met the demand by starting flexible AMOLED line operation earlier than scheduled. 2015 proved future market growth potential by opening consumers’ wallets through designs possible only with flexible AMOLED panel.

 

  1. Samsung Display Supply Diversification

During the Q3 earnings announcement, Samsung Display revealed their plan to expand non-Samsung clients by 30%. Accordingly, in Q3, when smartphone market’s growth was expected to slow down, the sales performance improved by 13% compared to its previous quarter through key client’s new product release and expansion of client base. Particularly, the market occupation of AMOLED panel shipped toward China is analyzed to have increased within the global mobile market as Chinese set companies released AMOLED panel equipped smartphones.

 

  1. Apple’s OLED Application

Apple, which has been using LCD panel for all products, first applied flexible AMOLED panel, produced by LG Display, to 2015 smartwatch Apple Watch and drew much attention. In H2, Apple diversified suppliers by using Samsung Display’s flexible AMOLED panel. This move is analyzed to be groundwork for flexible OLED application to smartphone following smartwatch. 2015 has been a year with much interest in when flexible AMOLED panel equipped iPhone will be released.

 

  1. OLED Lighting

Global OLED lighting industry went through a great transformation in 2015. OLEDWorks announced they will acquire key parts of Philips’ OLED lighting business, relevant production facilities, and intellectual property. With this take over, OLEDWorks greatly expanded business through widened product portfolio and simultaneous lighting panel mass production in the US and Germany. LG Chem. transferred OLED lighting business to LG Display. The value of transfer is 1.6 billion KRW, and it is seen to be a strategy to increase competiveness by transferring the business to LG Display with their OLED panel mass production knowledge and to focus on existing materials business. The take over and business transfer of the main players in OLED lighting industry, OLEDWorks and LG Chem., are following their own business strategy. However, following these moves, related investment is expected to be delayed for some time and eyes are on how these will affect the OLED lighting business overall.

 

Korea’s Last PMOLED Company to Fade into History?

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NeoView Kolon, a subsidiary merged by Kolon Group in order to foster electronics business in 2001, is known within the industry to close down the PMOLED sector on December 31.

 

NeoView Kolon established factory in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province of South Korea in 2003 and began PMOLED mass production. At this point, Samsung SMD (the current Samsung Display) and LG Electronics were also mass producing PMOLED. Other PMOLED producing companies included Korea’s Orion, Japan’s Futaba, and Tohoku Pioneer, and China’s Visionox. However, Samsung SMD stopped PMOLED business and sold manufacturing equipment to China’s Truly, and Samsung Display began AMOLED business from 2007. Subsequently, LG Electronics also closed down PMOLED sector and merged OLED related personnel to LG Display and launched AMOLED business. Orion was sold to China’s Changhong.

 

With the active application of AMOLED to Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy series, global PMOLED business began to rapidly shrink, and in order to maintain business, PMOLED companies pushed ahead with OLED lighting panel business.

 

NeoView Kolon entered into the automotive instrument panel business with PMOLED transparent display, but this business was also not easy. Furthermore, as the factory location is Hongseong, deep in the countryside, there was high turnover of employees and difficulty in technology development and recruitment. Despite the investment of over 100,000 million KRW, the company showed continued deficit.

 

NeoView Kolon turned into a financial sinkhole for Kolon Group and worsened the Group’s financial structure, leading to persistent discussion of selling or withdrawal of the business. Recently, Samsung Display is actively pushing forward the transparent AMOLED panel business. As such, transparent display business value for Kolon decreased, and it is estimated that this led to the decision of closing down the business.

New Products to be Released Using Visionox’s AMOLED Display

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On Dec. 25th, Visionox announced that two products using its display panels will soon be released, including a 5.5 inch AMOLED display applied to high-end smartphone, and a 1.45 inch AMOLED display applied to smartwatch.

 

5.5 inch AMOLED Display Panel, Source : Visionox

5.5 inch AMOLED Display Panel, Source : Visionox

 

It is noted that the 1.45 inch AMOLED display has a display resolution of 272X340 and pixel resolution of 300 ppi, which reaches the highest pixel resolution in the domestic similar products. The thickness is less than 1 mm and the frame is only 1.5 mm. Furthermore, this display also offers MIPI and SPI interface functionality.

 

1.45 inch AMOLED Display Panel, Source : Visionox

1.45 inch AMOLED Display Panel, Source : Visionox

 

The smartwatch using 1.45 AMOLED display will be on sale in mainland China during the Spring Festival 2016 and the smartphone using 5.5 AMOLED display will be released to overseas market in Mar. 2016

NTHU is reshaping the lighting world via Candlelight OLED

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Numerous researches have been sounding alarm with increasing frequency on the health hazards of blue light. They report that blue light possesses potential hazard to the retina of human eyes, circadian rhythm, melatonin secretion, and cancer risk.

 

To devise a human-friendly light source and to also trigger a “Lighting Renaissance”, the Prof. Jou’s OLED research group from National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), Taiwan, demonstrates a high light quality and blue-hazard free candlelight OLED, that serves as a good measure and a wisely choice for general lighting. Just before Christmas, the candlelight OLED has won the International Dark-Sky Association Lighting Design Award and Domestic golden lighting medal. Moreover, Taiwan’s government highlights and entirely promotes NTHU and WiseChip Semiconductor Inc. to further investigate candlelight OLED technology via the highest Ministry of Economic Affairs support in following two years. It’s surely confirmed that the health-friendly candlelight OLED can be commercialized, accessible and affordable for human mankind by the end of 2017.

 

Additionally, the IDA website announced that “Since 2006, Prof. Jou has worked with students on organic LED (OLED) lighting technologies in an effort to create lighting that minimizes negative impacts to human health. In this work, he and his research team has made numerous breakthroughs, such as the creation of very low color temperature OLED, sunlight-style OLED, pseudo-natural light OLED, and candlelight-style OLED devices. Their candlelight-style OLED has attracted a considerable attention from both academia and industries. Most importantly, the candle-like OLED has also been praised by medical experts and is considered one of the safest electricity-driven lighting sources. This lighting can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications.”

 

Upcoming lighting industrial trends should be psychological- and physiological- friendly lighting sources. Currently, the gross production value of OLED up to 4,000 billion US dollars.

 

Candlelight OLED, Source: NTHU

Candlelight OLED, Source: NTHU

 

Professor Jou's Research Team, Source: NTHU

Professor Jou’s Research Team, Source: NTHU

 

IDA Received by Professor Jou's Research Team, Source : NTHU

IDA Received by Professor Jou’s Research Team, Source : NTHU

Transparent Electrode Needs Development for Next Generation Display to Surge

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Recently, with various research results regarding transparent electrode, interest in next generation transparent electrode is increasing.

 

In early December, UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology) developed printing technology that can arrange the Ag nanowire in the direction chosen on top of substrate. Ag nanowire is transparent electrode that can be applied to large area flexible touch panel and display products. This technology allows the surface to be flat through the fusion of nanotechnology to the existing printing process and increases transmittance.

 

Around the same time, ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) developed technology that replaces thin metal electrode on top of OLED substrate with graphene transparent electrode. The metal electrode that were being used in OLED was mostly silver (Ag) material, but due to the reflection of internal light, the viewing angle changed depending on the angle. The external light also affected picture quality due to reflection. The newly developed technology used graphene that mostly does not reflect internal/external light as transparent electrode and improved transmittance and picture quality.

 

At present, ITO (indium tin oxide) is most widely used as transparent electrode materials. However, the supply is limited and flexible electronic device application is narrow. As such, the demand for the development of new materials that can replace this is greatly increasing. Particularly, as ITO is not suitable for stretchable device, the next generation transparent electrode development is considered to be a key issue for future display.

 

At 2016 Production/Process Technology Development and Application Cases by Flexible Transparent Electrode and Film Materials Seminar (December 17) held in Seoul, South Korea, Dr. Won Mok Kim of KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology) discussed, of many flexible transparent electrodes, TCO (transparent conductive oxide) production and process technology through presentation titled ‘TCO based flexible transparent electrode production and process technology development trend and applications’.

 

Of the transparent conductive materials, oxides have been researched the longest, and they are most widely used transparent conductive materials. Oxide including conductive materials have optical band gap of ≥3.0 eV and therefore has high transmittance and can be flexible. Kim revealed that TCO needs further improvement in conductivity and transmittance for display application.

 

Regarding transparent body, when refractive indexes of components are different, the path of light through the transparent body is refracted. When this occurs, the object becomes hazy although transparent. Haze is quantified and used to assess the transparent body’s performance. Kim explained that for solar cell the haze is purposefully increased to transmit more light to the internal active materials. However, if the display is clouded the clarity of image is reduced and therefore haze has to be lowered. To achieve this, Kim reported that the TCO’s surface roughness has to be reduced.

 

Kim revealed that there are two issues, temperature and flexibility, when TCO is used as transparent electrode. ITO’s conductivity is highest at 300 ℃, and for ZnO it is around 200 ℃. Channel cracks could occur with TCO when higher than bending strain is applied, and the crack could snap when it is bent further, destroying the device performance. Kim explained that to increase the bending strain, the thickness has to be reduced. However, when doing so as the sheet tension increases, the process has to be designed carefully considering the tradeoff.

 

Transparent electrode could be applied to display, solar cell, touch panel, and lighting among others and therefore requires much development. Although oxides have been long researched as transparent electrode materials, Kim concluded that even more diverse value can be created through fusion with next generation materials.

 

그림1

OLED and Graphene Together Achieves Innovative Technology

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By Choong Hoon Yi

 

Korean research team is expected to greatly improve display’s transmittance and picture quality through fusing graphene technology, focus of much attention as the new material to OLED technology.

 

On December 15, ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) replaced the thin metal electrode that was used as transparent electrode on top of the OLED substrate with graphene transparent electrode, and succeeded in developing original technology that is conductive and transparent.

 

This research results were presented in Scientific Reports, a journal from the publishers of Nature on December 2.

 

The metal electrode used in OLED until now has been mostly silver material, but due to the reflection of internal light, the viewing angle changed depending on the angle. The external light also affected picture quality due to reflection.

 

In order to solve this problem, ETRI research team focused on graphene that mostly does not reflect internal/external light. By replacing the material, the team reported that the transmittance increased by approximately 40% and reflectance improved by approximately 60%.

 

OLED was successfully lighted by attaching graphene transparent electrode to the organic layer on top of the film form (23 x 23 mm, 30 ㎛ thickness) of substrate. The research team believes this will be able to contribute much when applied to transparent OLED display and white OLED-based large area OLED display in future.

 

Particularly, unlike the existing vacuum process OLED production method, this technology can be employed via lamination where film is attached to the organic layer and graphene. Therefore, OLED can be produced through simpler process. It is expected that this can be evolved into production technology using roll to roll process.

 

Additionally, ETRI, together with Hanwha Techwin, is working on applying graphene transparent electrode to OLED’s lower electrode through collaboration of high quality graphene thin film electrode materials. The related technology development results were published online by The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics.

 

ETRI’s Dr. Jeong-Ik Lee (soft I/O interface research section) anticipated that “this technology will be able to play a role in widening the gap with latecomer countries in OLED industry where challenging latecomers are strong”.

 

This research was carried out through Korea’s Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and Institute for Information & Communications Technology Promotion (IITP)’s “Energy reducing environment adapting I/O platform technology development for future advertisement service” project and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology’s “Substrate size 5.5 generation or larger graphene film and OLED device/panel foundation and application technology development for graphene materials OLED transparent electrode and thin film encapsulation application”.

 

ETRI is planning to additionally develop sheet tension reducing technology by manufacturing metal in thin, grid forms and enlargement technology to produce mobile display size within 2016.

 

Through this technology, the research team produced 6 international patent applications and 6 papers. ETRI is intending to transfer the technology to graphene film and display panel companies among others. Commercialization is estimated to begin after 3 years.

1.Graphene transparent electrode applied lit OLED

1. Graphene transparent electrode applied lit OLED

 

2. OLED with existing thin metal electrode and graphene electrode OLED comparison (Left: Graphene, Right: Thin Metal, Ag)

2. OLED with existing thin metal electrode and graphene electrode OLED comparison (Left: Graphene, Right: Thin Metal, Ag)

 

3.Film including graphene transparent electrode applied to lamination process using OLED production

3. Comparison graph of existing thin metal electrode OLED and graphene electrode OLED

 

4.Film including graphene transparent electrode applied to lamination process using OLED production

4. Film including graphene transparent electrode applied to lamination process using OLED production

 

5.Graphene transparent electrode OLED Production Process

5. Graphene transparent electrode OLED Production Process

 

[Process Explanation]

After manufacturing laminated film, formed with bonding layer (BL) and PET film, using surface treated substrate, graphene transparent electrode is transferred on to the bonding layer. By laminating the laminated film that includes graphene transparent electrode on the substrate (lower electrode and organic layer), OLED where graphene transparent electrode is used as upper electrode is complete.

 

6.Graphene OLED of diverse colors

6. Graphene OLED of diverse colors

Heraeus Materials Reveals Innovative Conductive Polymer Transparent Electrode

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Heraeus Materials Korea’s Jinwhan Kim

Heraeus Materials Korea’s Jinwhan Kim

 

By Choong Hoon Yi

 

At 2016 Production/Process Technology Development and Application Cases by Flexible Transparent Electrode and Film Materials Seminar (December 17), Heraeus Materials Korea’s Jinwhan Kim revealed new product of Clevios, Heraeus’ main transparent electrode series, through a presentation titled Conductive Polymer-based Flexible Transparent Electrode Production and Process Technology Development Trend and Application Examples.

 

Transparent electrode possesses high transmittance of ≥ 80% and conductivity of ≤ 500 Ω/ㅁ, and is being used as electronic component for displays including OLED electrode. The transparent electrode can be mainly categorized into 3 types: thin metal film, carbon allotrope, and conductive polymer. Heraeus Materials is considered a major company producing conductive polymer together with SKC.

 

Although many people regard Heraeus as a company producing gold and silver bullion, Kim explained that Heraeus is focusing on display and semiconductor related chemicals. Particularly, Kim added that Clevios, Heraeus’ representative product, contains over 20 years of PEDOT materials know-how and experience.

 

Clevios™ P, the existing PEDOT:PSS product, is mostly produced in Leverkusen, Germany, and essentially uses thermal curing. Kim revealed that when Clevios™ P is coated, it shows bluish hue and the degree changes depending on the thickness. The conductivity is 1,000 S/cm and has the refractive index similar to glass.

 

While the existing Clevios product has sufficient flexibility to be applied to flexible products, Kim reported that future flexible display requires transparent electrode with higher specifications, emphasizing the importance of product development, and introduced new product Clevios™ HY.

 

High conductive transparent electrode, Ag nanowire was added to the existing Clevios PEDOT:PSS product to produce Clevios™ HY. AG nanowire typically has rough surface but Clevios PEDOT:PSS corrects this by making it flat. The highly flexible new product has relatively low sheet tension of less than 100 Ω/ㅁ. Kim emphasized that this new product can be turned to solvent base and used in printing process, revealing they are developing Clevios™ HYJET, a PEDOT:PSS transparent electrode for printing use.

Now is the Time to Invest for OLED to be the Next Generation Display

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By Hyun Jun Jang

 

 

 

 

On December 10, a seminar specializing company bizocean held ‘2016 Next Generation Display’s Latest Trend and Cutting Edge Industry Application Issues and Business Creation Seminar’ in Korea Technology Center. Professor Changhee Lee of Seoul National University, the first speaker of the seminar, announced that as OLED will become the technology for future display, now is the time for investment by the companies.

 

Lee reported that the display follows camera’s resolution, and although resolution has been developed up to UHD, he forecast that it will advance further. He also added that higher the resolution, the display performance that consumers demand will increase.

 

Regarding the current display market status, Lee explained that as the LCD’s margin is falling the market has to turn to OLED, but it is still expensive and capacity is low. Additionally, from the way consumers are still using the term liquid crystal regarding Samsung’s AMOLED smartphone, Lee speculated that people have difficulty in distinguishing between LCD and OLED. He told the audience that the industry should inform the public of the OLED’s differences from LCD through transparent, flexible displays that show OLED’s superior traits, and open the market through product differentiation strategy.

 

For the future display, Lee pointed out printing OLED. He explained that although printing OLED’s lifetime, particularly blue’s, falls short compared to vacuum evaporation, it is estimated to reach commercialization stage after 2-3 years. Despite the flaws in terms of materials, Lee reported that the advantages such as reduced production cost, fast tact time, and material usage efficiency will lead to the opening of the market. For these reasons, Samsung and LG are carrying out development.

 

Lee forecast that LCD, in its maturity stage of the industry life cycle, will lead the market for a while, but OLED technology will rapidly evolve and become the focus of the next generation display market. Regarding OLED TV, Lee mentioned that large area OLED mass production through printing technology is urgent in order to achieve price competitiveness. At present, OLED’s capacity is less than 1/100 of LCD. As such, even if there is demand, supply may not be able to meet it and Lee suggested the need for investment to the companies. He added that if there is low supply when the number of customers is high, the opening of the market could be delayed.

 

<Display Market Forecast Source: Professor Changhee Lee Presentation Material>

Lee mentioned QLED as another future display technology. QLED has the same structure as OLED but uses quantum dot as the emitting materials, changing colors through different sizes. Lee reported that the color gamut is high as the wavelengths are shorter than OLED emitting materials. Also as the same material is used, QLED has an advantage of reduced material production cost and development of micro display with 2,000 ppi is complete. However, Lee added that as the lifetime is nowhere near sufficient, commercialization stage is still far away.

[Analyst Column] LCD Industry Administration to Worsen after 3 Years

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Choong Hoon Yi, Chief Analyst, UBI Research

 

 

BOE is intending to carry out a large amount of investment in order to operate Gen10.5 LCD line from 2018. Meanwhile, key set makers including Apple, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Panasonic are devising strategy to move from LCD to OLED for smartphone and premium TV displays. As such, it is becoming more likely for the LCD industry to be in slump from 2018.

 

At present, the area where LCD industry can create profit is LTPS-LCD for smartphone. The forecast smartphone market for this year is approximately 15 billion units. Of this, Samsung Electronics and Apple are occupying 20% and 15% of the market respectively. OLED equipped units are less than 2 billion.

 

However, from 2018 the conditions change greatly. Firstly, Apple, which has been using LCD panel only, is estimated to change approximately 40% of the display to OLED from 2017 earliest and 2018 latest. Apple is testing flexible OLED panels of JDI, LG Display, and Samsung Display, and recommending them to invest so flexible OLED can be applied to iPhone from 2017. The total capa. Is 60K at Gen6. As new investments for Gen6 line of Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to be carried out from 2016, supply is theoretically possible from 2017.

 

Source: UBI Research Database

Source: UBI Research Database

 

If 5inch flexible OLED is produced from Gen6 line, under the assumption of 50% yield at 60K capa. 65 million units can be produced annually, and approximately 1 billion units if the yield is 80%. If Apple’s iPhone shipment in 2017 is estimated to be around 2.7 billion units, within the 50-60% yield range approximately 25% of the display is changed to OLED from LCD, and if yield reaches 80% around 40% will change. The companies that are supplying Apple with LCD for smartphone, LG Display, JDI, and Sharp, are expected to show considerable fall in sales and business. These 3 companies could be reduced to deficit financial structure just from Apple’s display change

 

Furthermore, as Apple is not producing low-priced phones, under the assumption that future iPhone could all have OLED display, Apple could cause the mobile device LCD industry to stumble after 3 years.

 

Samsung Electronics also is gradually changing Galaxy series display to OLED from LCD. Of the forecast 2015 shipment of 3 billion units, 50%, 1.5 billion units, has OLED display, but Samsung Electronics is expected to increase flexible OLED and rigid OLED equipped products in future. Particularly, as Apple is pushing for flexible OLED application from 2017, Samsung Electronics, whose utilizing OLED as the main force, is estimated to increase flexible OLED usage more than Apple. It is estimated that all Galaxy series product displays will be changed to OLED from 2019.

 

 

Under these assumptions, of the estimated smartphone market in 2020 of approximately 20 billion units, Samsung Electronics and Apple’s forecast markets’ 7 billion could be considered to use OLED.

 

Samsung Display is strengthening supply chain of set companies using their OLED panels. Samsung Display is supplying OLED panels to diverse companies such as Motorola and Huawei as well as Samsung Electronics, and also expected to supply rapidly rising Xiaomi from 2016. If smartphone display is swiftly changed to OLED from LCD from 2017, Chinese display companies that are currently expanding TFT-LCD lines are to be adversely affected.

 

Additionally, in the premium TV market, LG Electronics mentioned that they will focus on OLED TV industry at this year’s IFA2015. As a part of this, LG Display is planning to expand the current Gen8 34K to 60K by the end of next year. Furthermore, in order to respond to the 65inch market, Gen9.5 line investment is in consideration. In the early 2015, Panasonic commented that they were to withdraw from TV business but changed strategy with new plans of placing OLED TV on the market in Japan and Europe from next year.

 

As Samsung can no longer be disconnected from the OLED TV business, there are reports of investment for Gen8 OLED for TV line in 2016. Although OLED TV market is estimated to be approximately 350 thousand units this year, in 2016, when Panasonic joins in, it is expected to expand to 1.2 million units. The OLED TV’s market share in ≥55inch TV market is estimated to be only 4% but in premium TV market it is estimated to be significant value of ≥10%.

 

 

 

 

If Samsung Display invests in Gen8 OLED for TV line in 2016, from H2 2017 supply to Samsung Electronics is possible. As OLED Gen8 line’s minimum investment has to be over 60K to break even, it can be estimated that Samsung Display will invest at least 60K continuously in future.

 

Under these conditions, LCD industry can only be in crisis. Firstly, it becomes difficult for Sharp to last. Sharp, which is supplying TFT-LCD for Apple’s iPhones and LCD for Samsung Electronics’ TV, will lose key customers. Secondly, BOE, AUO, and JDI, the companies selling LCD panels to these companies, are not ready to produce OLED and therefore damage is inevitable.

 

BOE is carrying out aggressive investment with plans to lead the display industry in future with operation of Gen10.5 LCD line. Therefore, from 2018, as the main cash cow items disappear, administration pressure could increase.

[2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar] Oxide TFT Technology that 2015 should Spotlight

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By Hyun Jun Jang

 

During the 2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar (December 4) hosted by UBI Research, Professor Jin-Seong Park of Hanyang University gave a presentation titled OLED Oxide TFT Technology Trend, discussing oxide TFT, related industry, and technological issues as well as TFT technology that should receive the spotlight in 2016.

 

Oxide TFT has an advantage of high mobility and large area uniformity compared to a-Si TFT. As such, it is being more applied to large area OLED panel and used in LG Display’s OLED TV.

 

Park revealed that there are mainly 4 issues regarding oxide TFT and led with the reliability issue. Oxide TFT is essentially in amorphous state but when crystalized, the density and crystallizability increase; as oxygen does not move away and stay in place, defects occur less and reliability is high. Japan’s SEL and Sharp published CAAC (C-Axis Aligned Crystal) structure related oxide TFT paper, and Cornell University produced CAAC oxide TFT by increasing the substrate temperature and adjusting oxygen’s partial pressure.

 

The second issue is composition ratio. Park reported that composition ratio is the most closely related characteristic to TFT’s mobility. He revealed that recently research is being carried out centering around IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide), but also oxide TFT research with different composition ratio is continually published. For example, ITZO (indium tin zinc oxide)’s mobility has been reported to reach 30cm/Vsec, and BOE is working on the related research. Research results, which showed increased mobility and reliability for IGZTO, which is IZTO with G added, was published, as well as ZnON (zinc oxide nitride) TFT’s 100cm/Vsec mobility. BOE demonstrated ZnO TFT applied 14.1inch AMOLED.

 

The third issue is the device structure. Park explained that efficiency can increase when top gate structure is used to oxide TFT as parasitic capacitor is not needed, but that the process is difficult. However, Park reported that JOLED revealed when self-alignment is used the number of masks used can be reduced and increases performance. This structure is applied to OLED TV by LG Display.

 

Lastly, Park gave the safety of device as the last issue. Oxide TFT can exhibit degradation effects from light, oxygen, hydrogen, and moisture. Park reported that hydrogen particularly has great effect on the safety. He explained that although the current prevailing OLED TFT is LTPS, as the panel becomes larger there will be technological competition between oxide and LTPS. Reporting that TFT which is cost efficient and shows high performance in diverse factors such as resolution will dominate the market, Park concluded his presentation.

 

 

 

[2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar] Professor Hong Mun-Pyo of Korea University Retraces Flexible OLED’s Key Issues

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By Hyun Jun Jang

 

During the 2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar (December 4) hosted by UBI Research, Professor Hong Mun-Pyo of Korea University gave a talk titled Flexible AMOLED Gas Barrier Technology Development Status. Through this presentation, he discussed in detail flexible OLED’s outline, technological issues, and encapsulation among other key issues.

 

Flexible display signifies a display that was produced on top of flexible substrate, and not an existing glass substrate, which can bend, fold, or roll without breaking. Hong emphasized flexible display is the next generation display that can simultaneously satisfy consumers and panel makers, and an area that OLED can be more valuable compared to LCD.

 

There are 3 essential issues in flexible display, substrate, TFT array, and display processes, as well as ancillary issues such as application and cost. Hong reported key issues regarding substrate and display process.

 

Flexible display uses plastic substrate, instead of glass, that is strong against shock and can bend. Therefore, handling technology that manages plastic substrate is considered a key technology in flexible display production. Hong revealed that for handling technology, a film lamination method and vanish coating method are mainly used. A film lamination method is where plastic substrate is attached to carrier glass using adhesive before being processed and a vanish coating method is where the PI substrate is coated to the carrier glass before processing. He emphasized that no matter which method is used, the debonding technology used to detach the plastic substrate from the glass plays a crucial role in deciding yield.

 

Hong followed the substrate discussion with encapsulation technology. Encapsulation technology prevents moisture and oxygen that affect OLED panel’s performance from infiltrating in order to increase the display’s lifetime. As it is a core process that decides OLED panel’s yield, OLED panel production companies are focusing on optimum encapsulation technology development.

 

Key issues of encapsulation technology that is currently being applied to flexible OLED, barrier coating related issues are considered the most important. Barrier coating is the coating applied to the plastic substrate to overcome the limitations that occur as existing glass substrate is replaced by plastic. For flexible encapsulation, as can type or frit seal technologies that were used for glass encapsulation cannot be used, face seal or TFE technologies that can be applied to flexible are used. Also, as the permeability of oxygen and moisture has to be 10-6g/m2day or less, high performing barrier coating technology is needed.

 

When barrier coating is used to flexible OLED, generally 3 problems occur. Firstly, physically cracks or particles can develop. Regarding this, Hong explained that this issue can be solved if process is properly maintained. The second problem is micro defects that can arise on the surface of plastic film, which can be solved through optimized process, according to Hong. Lastly, nano-sized pin holes can come up. Hong revealed that multi-layers of barrier coating can solve this problem.

 

Generally, when OLED panel is produced the thickness of encapsulation layer is not a big issue. However, Hong emphasized that the thickness becomes a core issue when producing flexible OLED panel. He reported that hybrid structure of encapsulation where gas barrier cover plate is attached to passivation layer placed via PECVD can be the solution.

 

Although the most suitable process technology for hybrid encapsulation production is R2R, as appropriate results are not obtained when CVD is applied to R2R, Hong reported that research is being carried out toward the sputtering using direction. He revealed that if reflection plate is added to the sputtering equipment and neutron beam release is induced, defects that occur during the sputtering process can be reduced as the target thin film stabilizes.

 

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[2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar] Can LG Display and Samsung Display Become OLED Market’s Rule Maker?

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By Hyun Jun Jang

 

At 2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar (December 4) hosted by UBI Research, UBI Research’s president Choong Hoon Yi gave a talk titled AMOLED Panel Industry Trend and Market Forecast discussing OLED industry until 2015 and forecasting 2016 OLED market.

 

Yi presented 2 issues related to flexible OLED. The first issues he discussed was regarding foldable types in foldable display. Yi explained that in-folding is where display is placed inside and out-folding has display on the outside, and revealed that in-folding type is mainly being developed. He also added that these technologies will be useful in FinTech (financial technology: new form of financial technology using mobile, social network, big data, etc.).

 

According to Yi, another issue for flexible display is film application. In order to increase the yield of flexible display, film has to replace cover glass. However, this could lead to unpleasant touch sensation and Yi emphasized technology such as polishing has to be applied to improve this to convince the consumers.

 

Regarding the market, Yi estimated that the total global smartphone market will grow to record approximately 2,000 million units until 2020, with Samsung Electronics’ 400 million units. He also estimated that the OLED display proportion of Samsung’s Galaxy series will continue to increase and that most of Galaxy products will have AMOLED panel in 2019. Of this, Yi announced that flexible OLED and rigid OLED are to record approximately 280 million units and 120 million units respectively. He also forecast that the OLED TV market will grow into approximately 11 million units and that materials and equipment companies will rapidly grow.

 

At present, the display market is entering low growth state, and companies are focusing on strengthening the market competitiveness through new technology development and production potential increase. Samsung Display is actively striving to increase OLED panel’s supply for external companies. LG Display announced 1.84 billion KRW investment for world’s largest OLED focused P10 factory and other areas.

 

Yi reported that as flexible OLED evolves, the mobile display resolution competition of the present will disappear, and he estimated that as LTPS-LCD market decreases, the sales of related panel companies, such as BOE, Sharp, JDI, and LGD, will diminish.

 

Yi also told the audience that he is expecting Samsung Electronics to put OLED TV on the market from 2018 and the sales of the companies, Sharp, AUO, and CSOT, that were supplying them with LCD panels will fall. Essentially, he explained that as the OLED market grows, LCD dealing companies’ position will weaken which will lead to the strengthening of OLED panel production and related companies’ position.

 

When asked about the future of Korean display panel companies, Yi replied that when LCD and OLED are competing, set companies decides the market. However, if OLED can unite the market, Yi emphasized that the display panel will be rebranded as Rule Maker and LG Display and Samsung Display will be in its center.

 

 

[2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar] How can OLED Emitting Materials, Components and Other Materials Markets Survive?

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By Choong Hoon Yi

 

At 2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar (December 4) hosted by UBI Research, Sung-Kee Kang, DS Hi-Metal’s CSO, reported that OLED display market has to expand through OLED TV and new applications in order for OLED emitting materials companies to grow.

 

Presenting under the title of ‘OLED Organic Material Technology, Industry Trend’, Kang introduced the current OLED emitting material value chain. He explained that within OLED emitting materials market, there are too many players considering the current volume and overall OLED display market expansion is a necessity. However, he added that for OLED display to compete against LCD display, OLED TV market has to expand successfully, and new application that utilizes OLED’s characteristics is needed.

 

In order to expand the market, development of OLED emitting materials and other materials is urgently in demand that meet the required conditions. Kang emphasized that at present new technology seeds promotion for the next OLED is needed as well as development of OLED emitting materials, and other flexible/transparent related materials with new functions.

 

Considering LG’s active OLED TV marketing, Apple’s interest in OLED panel application, and possibility for Samsung to apply AMOLED to all models among others, OLED market is anticipated to rapidly grow. Together with this, the industries of OLED emitting material and component/other materials with new functions are also expected to considerably grow.

[2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar] Transparent Flexible Display’s Necessity Found in Worth

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On December 4, UBI Research hosted 2015 OLED Evaluation Seminar in HJ Convention Center in Seoul, South Korea. The first speaker, LG Display TFD Biz Operation Group’s Chief Research Engineer Jeonghyun Kim spoke on transparent and flexible display’s worth.

 

Under the title of ‘Transparent/Flexible Display’s Future’, Kim discussed overall development trend of display and marketability. At present, the display market is changing to OLED, but as the growth rate is decreasing Kim added that new market creation is necessary. He explained that this is the time for a breakthrough of new market and transparent flexible display can play the lead. Kim also mentioned the marketability of transparent flexible display that can be actualized through OLED.

 

Transparent flexible OLED display possesses high technology level required by plastic substrate, low temperature process technology, and module among others. However, while introducing transparent and flexible OLED display’s worth, Kim emphasized the need for related technology development. The transparent display’s worth, mentioned by Kim, includes space expansion potential through home interior design, communication and safety increase within public facilities, AR information on existing transparent area, and sentimental and recreational experience at observatory and gallery. Regarding flexible display’s worth, he cited mobility in thinness and lightness, utilization through digital board, and space expansion through design freedom.

 

As a prime market for transparent flexible display application, Kim discussed automotive display market; considering the automotive market trend toward driverless/electric vehicles, display utilization inside the vehicle will increase and automotive industry will seek OLED display first.

 

With the LG Display’s video with diverse applications of transparent flexible display and future direction for display, Kim concluded his presentation.

Planar Aims for Transparent OLED Product Mass Production in Feb 2016

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On November 30 (local time), a US based display production company Planar held an online presentation titled ‘Planar Look Thru OLED Transparent Display Webinar’, discussing transparent display traits and disclosing specifications for products which are estimated to be mass produced from February 2016.

 

Transparent display is defined as a display with see-through screen showing objects behind the display as well as the display contents. Recently, it is receiving much attention as a technology with high potential for diverse applications expanding existing display industry.

 

Planar explained that unlike the existing display, transparent display pixels are separated into transparent and emitting areas with RGB subpixels located in the emitting area. Planar clarified that what is black on general display becomes see-through and white becomes opaque.

 

Transparent display’s performance is decided by several factors such as transmittance, brightness, and color gamut. Regarding this, Planar revealed that the transmittance of transparent display is not fixed but can be affected by ambient light; brighter the surrounding environment, higher the transmittance. Additionally, viewers have tendency to perceive the display with higher color gamut as brighter than the actual brightness, and transparent display’s color gamut is therefore an important factor.

 

In early 2015, Planar revealed a 55inch transparent OLED display prototype. At present, Planar is receiving pre-order and aiming for mass production in February 2016. The company also reported basic specifications for the panel: 45% of transmittance, 100% color gamut, and Full HD (1,920×1,080) of resolution. The product also has 5 input sources: 4 HDMI terminals, and 1 display port.

 

During the webinar, Planar explained that 32 touch points using IR (infra-red) touch system installation is an option. Although this is less accurate than touch system using touch film, Planar explained that this was an unavoidable choice in order to increase the transmittance. They also added that they are continuing research for new touch system application.

 

The 55inch panel price starts from under USD 15,000 and Planar is currently receiving pre-order. Although there are many factors that affect transparent OLED’s lifetime, it was measured to be 20,000 hours at LT50. Answering the question on whether it is affected by UV light, Planar explained that it can be UV sensitive and the product was designed to be an indoor installation.

 

It is estimated that the transparent OLED panel used in the Planar’s product released is produced by Samsung Display as it has the same 45% transmittance, 1920×1080 resolution, and 400nit brightness.

 

Planar’s Transparent OLED Display to be Mass Produced Source: Planar

Planar’s Transparent OLED Display to be Mass Produced Source: Planar

Professor Jang-Ung Park of UNIST Discusses Transparent Electrode’s Present and Future

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During the International Advanced Materials & Application Technology Expo (November 25-27), Professor Jang-Ung Park of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) gave an in-depth lecture on transparent electrode’s new technology and research results under the presentation title of ‘Technology Trend and Development Direction of High Performance Transparent & Stretchable Electrodes Using Graphene and Ag Nanowire Complex’.

 

Transparent electrode is an electronic component with usually ≥80% transparency, and sheet tension of ≤500Ω/ㅁ of conductivity. This technology is widely used in electronics including LCD front electrode and OLED electrode in display, touchscreen, solar cell, and optoelectronic device.

 

Park explained that the main market for transparent electrode is display and touchscreen, and announced that the transparent electrode market is to grow into US$4,800 million in 2020 from 2015’s US$ 3,400 million.

 

The electrode materials that is mainly being used at present is ITO (indium tin oxide) film produced through evaporation or sputtering. ITO’s merits include good conductivity from the low sheet tension and suitable for mass production. However, China is the main producer of the rare main material, indium, and has a drawback of high processing temperature. As such, research for indium replacement is continuing.

 

Graphene, CNT (carbon nano tube), Ag nanowire, and metal mesh are some of the materials that are in the spotlight as ITO replacement. However, Park emphasized that transparent electrodes that are being developed at present have difficulty in surpassing ITO in terms of electronical and optical properties. Instead, he explained that as the display shape changes, the replacement material can be used for displays where ITO cannot be applied.

 

At present, ITO is being used as the main electrode material for flat display. However, its weakness against mechanical stress and limitation in flexibility led to some views that flexible display application will be difficult. Regarding this Park explained that thickness of substrate is more important than ITO’s traits for display’s curvature radius and therefore if substrate becomes thinner, ITO can be applied even to foldable display as well as flexible. He added that although folding the display is acceptable, stretchable display is impossible as the properties are destroyed when pulled.

 

Park emphasized that in order for the wearable display market, including the smartwatch market, to grow, the comfort of the user is important. He reported as a human body does not conform to a specific curvature radius, to improve the user comfort, stretchable panel that can bend in diverse directions is a necessity. For this to be possible, transparent electrode that can replace ITO is required.

 

For example, watch shaped application can be replaced with stretchable display up to the strap part that wraps around the wrist. Glasses shaped application can have stretchable display for curved areas such as lenses. Also, within textiles industry, research into smart textiles through electronic circuit application is continuing.

 

As the transparent electrode that can replace ITO, Park suggested graphene and Ag nanowire complex. Ag nanowire reduces high sheet tension of graphene, and graphene prevents Ag nanowire’s oxidization, complementing each other. Park revealed that ≥90% transmittance and ≤30Ω/ㅁ was achieved through research. He emphasized as stretchability increased to 100%, it is suitable for stretchable display.

 

According to Park, transparent electrode can be applied to transparent stretchable sensor and transparent TFT as well as display. With confirmation of continued research regarding this issue, Park concluded his presentation.

The Opening of OLED TV Market, Starts Now

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On November 25, LG Electronics and LG Display announced that they are planning to reveal OLED sculptures in various shapes such as tunnel, waves, cylinder, and others using 250 units of 55inch OLED panels at N Seoul Tower in South Korea. The sculptures will screen diverse contents with artistic merit and provide extraordinary spectacle while advertising OLED’s astonishing picture quality.

 

This N Seoul Tower OLED sculpture installation is the second OLED signage that LG Electronics revealed to the public; on November 19, LG Electronics installed ‘OLED Moment’, a supersize OLED signage, in 2 locations in Incheon International Airport and held a completion ceremony.

 

LG Electronics is aiming to lead the OLED TV market through 2 track strategy of OLED TV price reduction and OLED promotion. At the Q2 performance announcement, they revealed their plan for aggressive marketing through OLED promotion. The successive OLED sculpture installation can be seen as a part of LG Electronics’ OLED promotion strategy.

 

This strategy is analyzed to be fairly effective. On November 3, LG electronics revealed that the October sales figure was 4,500 units which is more than twice the amount sold in the beginning of the year. At the same time, OLED TV is continually falling down. 55inch UHD OLED TV, which was priced around US$ 3,000 on amazon.com in September, fell to the current around US$ 2,000.

 

Japan’s Panasonic revealed their plan to actively sell UHD OLED TV from 2016. China’s companies including Skyworth, Changhong, Hisense, and Konka are intending to present or release OLED TV.

 

With LG’s aggressive OLED TV marketing and the increase of OLED TV selling companies, the industry’s attention is on the future OLED TV market’s growth. According to UBI Research, OLED TV market is estimated to grow and record approximately 17 million units in 2020.

 

LG's OLED Tunnel to be Installed in N Seoul Tower, LG Electronics

LG’s OLED Tunnel to be Installed in N Seoul Tower, LG Electronics

Korea’s Survival Hangs on OLED; Government Support is Urgently Needed

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The last 5 years of budget for Korean semiconductor, which is a key industry for the nation, and display related industry’s original technology development expenses was researched and analyzed.

 

Electronic information device sector’s expenses can be categorized into semiconductor, display, LED/lighting, and evaluation maintenance fee.

 
In 2011, 130,000 million KRW was provided as technology development expense, but since then the amount annually decreased. In 2015, the amount was 95,000 million KRW, but in 2016, it is estimated to decrease further 42% and only 55,000 million KRW is expected to be provided.

 

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Semiconductor funding for 2015 occupies 58% of the total budget with 54,800 million KRW. Although that amount will be reduced to 35,600 million KRW in 2016, it is expected to occupy 65% of the total funding.

 

For display section, the 2015 funding is only 19,500 million KRW, a 21% of the total budge. In 2016, this is estimated to fall to 17%.

 

The government funding for display sector, which is the core of Korean electronic information industry, is around the same level as LED/Lighting sector.

 

The rapid reduction of government funding for display industry is expected to cause much difficulty in future display business.

 

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The Korean display panel market that is being maintained by 2 companies, Samsung Display and LG Display, recorded 62 billion KRW in 2012. However, it fell to 52 billion KRW in 2014, and the market power is gradually weakening. As Chinese companies are becoming more active in LCD market, Korean companies’ price competitiveness is waning in low-priced panel market.

 

If BOE’s Gen10.5 line begins operation in 2018, Korean display companies’ market power is analyzed to rapidly fall in LCD market. In order for the Korean display business to take-off again, now is the time for the government to fund OLED panel which has high added value.

ETRI Reveals Graphene Applied OLED Lighting

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At R&D Korea 2015 (November 19-21), ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) revealed OLED lighting and graphene related research results.

 

Since 2013, ETRI has been participating in ‘Graphene Applied OLED Device/Panel Technology Development’ project as a supervising organization. This project is a part of ‘Graphene Device/Component Commercialization Technology Business’, which is a Korean national project. This project’s ultimate aims include development of graphene electrode material with ≥15Ω sheet resistance, ≥90% transmittance, 3nm thickness, ≤5% sheet resistance uniformity, ≤5nm surface profile, and ≥5.5 generation area, graphene based protection layer that can be used for 5.5 generation 55inch OLED panel with ≤10-6 g/m2 WVTR, graphene anode OLED with ≥90% external quantum efficiency compared to ITO anode OLED, and diagonally 1300mm OLED panel prototype.

 

ETR1

 

In this exhibition, ETRI presented OLED lighting that used graphene as the electrode. ETRI’s Dr. Jeong-Ik Lee explained that recently interest in graphene electrode is increasing to replace ITO electrode and to apply graphene electrode, optical, electrical, and process issues have to be considered. When graphene is used as OLED electrode instead of ITO, thickness and refractive index change optically and electrically energy levels change, and these have to be considered when designing. He also emphasized that in terms of process, it has to be designed keeping in mind of before and after process of electrode procedure. Dr. Lee revealed that at present optical and electrical issues are solved while the process issues are in research stage, and they are planning to present the results of this research within this year.

 

Graphene, with its high resistivity, is known as next generation electrode material favorable to flexible and foldable. Dr. Lee pointed out that graphene has wider viewing angle than ITO when used as transparent electrode is another important advantage, and particularly as white light source’s spectrum cannot change according to the viewing angle, graphene is suitable for application.

 

Graphene is a key material with a wide arrange of applications, it is being developed in diverse areas such as OLED encapsulation as well as in electrode sector. The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning of Korea estimated that domestic graphene market will record 19 billion KRW until 2025. Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology, the organization in charge of this national project, gave their target as developing 9 top technology through graphene and achieve 17 billion KRW sales. Regarding this, Dr. Lee emphasized compared to other countries, Korean investment in graphene is relatively low and that now is the time for the Korean corporations and government agencies to pay more attention higher value-added businesses.

AMOLED Smartphone to Exceed 200 Million Units This Year

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It is anticipated that AMOLED display equipped smartphone will exceed 200 million units this year.

 

According to a market research company UBI Research, AMOLED equipped smartphone recorded 60 million units in Q3 2015, and estimated the total shipment of this year to be above 220 million units. This is approximately a 40% increase compared to last year’s result of 160 million units.

 

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This increase of shipment for AMOLED applied smartphone in 2015 is analyzed to be due to AMOLED panel application to low-to-mid priced smartphone and increase in the number of models produced.

 

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Q3 2015 performance of 60 million units is a 26% QoQ, and 80% YoY, and analyzed to be showing a rapid growth.

 

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[Automotive Display Seminar] Automotive Display, Urgent Transparent Display Technology Development Needed

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By Choong Hoon Yi

 

On November 13, Automotive Display Development Technology and Commercialization Planning seminar was hosted by Educational Center of Future Technology in Yeouido, South Korea.

 

KATECH (Korea Automotive Technology Institute)’s Dr. Sun-Hong Park explained that “as the automotive display market grows, display market’s domain is expanding” and announced “market for CID (Central Information Display) that mainly functions as navigation device and HUD (Head Up Display) that can show mileage and speed is steadily growing since 2008 and it is anticipated to grow considerably in future”. He added that particularly, 7inch or larger CID is increasing its market share in display market and that CID is becoming larger. He also mentioned that with the increase of traffic accidents from driver’s lack of attention to the road, HUD that can show information on the front window is necessary. However, legibility issues due to brightness and reflectiveness and technological issues such as integration with other display device need to be solved.

 

Dr. Sun-Hong Park of KATECH (Korea Automotive Technology Institute)

Dr. Sun-Hong Park of KATECH (Korea Automotive Technology Institute)

 

Dr. Chi-Sun Hwang of ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) compared display technology that can actualize transparent display, and technological issues to be solved in order for it to be applied to automotive. Hwang explained that although display technology that can produce transparent display include LCD, OLED TFEL (thin film EL), HUD (projection) among others, AMOLED is the most suitable considering resolution and transmittance. Although LCD technology level is at commercialization stage, as the transmittance is not high it can interfere with the driver’s viewing field. He also added that “poly Si TFT technology performance is good, transmittance is limited. However, oxide TFT technology’s transmittance is high and performance is continuing to improve, it needs to be more actively developed”. To be used as an automotive display, it has to meet certain conditions such as temperature, production cost, and brightness to be an automotive component as well as being placed in the suitable location in the driver’s viewing field; compared to other general display, automotive display is facing higher number of technical issues.

 

Dr. Chi-Sun Hwang of ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute)

Dr. Chi-Sun Hwang of ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute)

 

Source: Dr. Chi-Sun Hwang of ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute)

Source: Dr. Chi-Sun Hwang of ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute)

 

With the focus on the transparent display from automotive display industry, the interest in the technology needed for the application to automotive is also increasing. In order to lead the automotive display market, understanding of automotive components’ characteristics and effort to solve the diverse issues facing the optimized driving condition are required as well as knowledge of display itself.

[Expert Talk] Dr. Mauro Riva, SAES Group’s OLED/OLET Business Developer, on Encapsulation

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Dr. Mauro Riva, SAES Group’s OLED/OLET business developer, discussed his views on OLED in general as well as SAES Group’s technology through his interview with the OLEDNET and presentation at the OLEDs World Summit (October 27-29) titled ‘The Encapsulation Question’.

 

Encapsulation is required to prevent the oxidation of emitting and electrode materials by blocking moisture and oxygen. It also protects the device from mechanical and physical shocks. The basic configurations of encapsulation can be divided into 3: glass-to-glass, barrier film lamination, and thin film encapsulation methods. Glass-to-glass configuration is applied to rigid AMOLED for mass produced mobile, barrier film lamination and thin film encapsulation methods are used for flexible AMOLED, and barrier film lamination is used for large area AMOLED panel for TV.

 

Source: SAES Group, OLEDs World Summit 2015

Source: SAES Group, OLEDs World Summit 2015

 

According to Dr. Riva OLED encapsulation is still facing the same issues it had since the beginning: OLED materials’ extreme sensitivity to oxidizing agents and moisture in particular. He added that OLED materials can also be very sensitive to heat or radiations, generating many process constraints. Encapsulation technology is directly related to the lifetime of the OLED device and Dr. Riva raised several questions regarding the current issues surrounding the technology including the appropriate target lifetime, best definition of “lifetime”, and reliability of the “accelerated tests”. He emphasized that while much progress have been made, a “single optimal, universal solution” does not exist yet to meet various encapsulation requirements depending on OLED architecture, materials, environment, applications, etc. As such, encapsulation materials have to be specifically engineered to meet different types of OLED devices while having “exceptionally high barrier properties, and active fillers or getters, capable of absorbing water on a single molecule basis”. Thus, perfecting this technology is a very challenging task, and, according to Dr. Riva, something that requires in depth collaboration between advance encapsulation materials providers and OLED makers.

 

For their part in this technology progression, Dr. Riva reported that SAES Group provides a very large portfolio of active edge sealants, active transparent fillers, and dispensable getters. He explained that the portfolio is the results of deep know-how in functional polymer composites (FPC), “specially tailored to address customers’ specific OLED designs and processes”. Discussing the FPC during his talk in OLEDs World Summit, Dr. Riva emphasized the versatility of this approach.

 

Source: SAES Group, OLEDs World Summit 2015

Source: SAES Group, OLEDs World Summit 2015

 

Regarding application methods for SAES Group’s FPC products, Dr. Riva explained that they can be dispensed via screen printing, blading, syringe, ink-jetting, ODF (one drop filling), and even be employed in thin film encapsulation structures, to make them simpler and more reliable. Furthermore, Dr. Riva reported that while SAES Group considers syringe dispensing as one of the main methods for applying their FPC, “ink-jetting is also becoming more and more widespread, together with ODF, especially for active fillers”.

 

Dr. Riva believes the FPC could play an important role in making the encapsulation more effective, and that SAES Group can “leverage on its advanced materials expertise” and in-depth getter/purification knowledge, to “perfect FPC based encapsulation solutions for OLEDs”. 11% of SAES Group’s net sales is allocated to Research and Innovation every year with strong cooperation with universities and R&D centers. The company is collaborating with many companies in diverse areas of interest such as OLED lighting, manufacturing equipment, specialized food packaging, and gas barrier films. This proactive and collaborating approach will enable the SAES Group to play a key role in developing more marketable OLED devices.

 

[Expert Talk] OLEDWorks’ Co-founder David DeJoy Talks New Lighting Experience

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Through an interview with OLEDNET and his presentation during the OLEDs World Summit (October 27-29), OLEDWorks’ co-founder, chairman and CEO David DeJoy discussed OLEDWorks’ vision and OLED lighting.

 

OLEDWorks hit the headlines in April this year when it was announced they would acquire key OLED assets and relevant intellectual property from Royal Philips whose main OLED product is Lumiblade. This acquisition was finalized earlier this month, taking this relatively small but already dynamic player within the OLED lighting industry to another level with plans that include continuing production in both Germany and the US, and expanding the product portfolio.

 

As the world’s first area light source, OLED lighting is naturally diffusive. As the light is uniform without flickers, the glare and eye fatigue is minimized. Although it is similar to LED in that it is a solid-state lighting, OLED produces little heat and color temperature can be easily adjusted. With its thinness of the panel and no need for extra installation space, OLED lighting can bring forth new design perspectives and applications. During his talk, DeJoy commented that OLED will bring the light closer to the user and will deliver a better light experience in diverse settings including patient rooms, recovery rooms in hospitals, retail, and museums.

 

Although customer response to OLED light quality is extremely positive, DeJoy acknowledged that it is facing many challenges in entering the lighting market and divided the strategy to overcome this into “the four ‘A’s”: awareness, adaptability, availability, and affordability.

 

The ‘awareness’ includes education about the technology and benefits, as well as confidence in the OLED lighting technology reliability. The effort to build the OLED lighting awareness includes government partnerships such as DOE Funded Gateway Projects, and NYSERDA Demonstration Projects. Designers and architects are also increasingly turning to OLED for inspiration and source material. OLED lighting’s previously mentioned advantages are closely linked to the second ‘A’, ‘adaptability’. Its thinness, lack of heat, and no need for additional installation space mean that OLED lighting can easily be integrated into fixtures and used as a building material by being directly mounted on surfaces. On the subject of ‘availability’, DeJoy emphasized that more luminaire and final products should become more available to specifiers. He added that there are many in product development but they need to get into the hands of the end user. Discussing the ‘affordability’ of OLED lighting, DeJoy used OLED panel cost scenario published by the US Department of Energy which estimates that the panel price will continue to fall to reach US$10/klm, which corresponds to approximately US$100/m2, in 2025. DeJoy added that when examining the affordability of OLED lighting, the total cost has to be considered. For example, OLED lighting does not require heat sink or extra installation cost. Also, many applications do not need very high lumen output with focused beams; “it is not all about $/klm”.

 

Source: US Department of Energy

Source: US Department of Energy

 

DeJoy explained that OLEDWorks long term goal is making OLED lighting adaptable and available, making it easier to change the lighting when it is broken, and be user friendly. He reported that OLEDWorks will continue to expand the product portfolio, which now includes Lumiblade, for “increased performance, additional form factors, and additional CCT options, while reducing product costs”. DeJoy also added that this is “akin to the LED evolution and consistent with the U.S. Department of Energy forecast”. With their proactive and enthusiastic approach to the OLED lighting market, the industry is watching OLEDWorks with great interest. OLEDWorks’ effect on OLED lighting market is expected to be significant.

Visionox Reveals 604PPI High Resolution AMOLED

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On November 12, Visionox announced that they recently developed 604ppi (approximately 4.85inch) high resolution full color OLED panel through FMM (fine metal mask) using evaporation technology.

 

Visionox Z-Type(Source : OLED-info)

Visionox Z-Type(Source : OLED-info)

 

In 2014, Visionox developed 570ppi RGB AMOLED panel with newly developed pixel structure, Z-Type. This Z-Type arrangement had larger blue sub-pixel with green and red sub-pixels beside it. The new panel has resolution of 604ppi which is a 35ppi increase from the 2014 panel. With this new reveal, Visionox displayed their high resolution OLED technology improvement.

 

The 604ppi panel combined the self-developed pixel layout under proprietary intellectual property rights and co-developed Chinese FMM. The resolution is 2,560 × 1,440, manufactured using real RGB method and not pentile.

 

Chinese companies are developing their high resolution AMOLED panel technology at a fast pace. In August, EverDisplay presented 734ppi 6inch panel, and the technology difference with Korean panel companies is rapidly decreasing.

 

Visionox revealed that this OLED panel shows Visionox’s research development for high resolution OLED is continuing and aptly demonstrated the current results.

 

604 PPI High Resolution Display Panel (real RGB) (Source: Visionox)

604 PPI High Resolution Display Panel (real RGB) (Source: Visionox)

[IWFPE 2015] What Will Replace ITO?

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2015 IWFPE (International Workshop on Flexible & Printable Electronics) was held at Le Win Hotel in Jeonju, South Korea (November 4-6). During the workshop, many OLED display related presentations commented on ITO’s replacement material.

 

Dr. Jennifer Colegrove, CEO of US research company Touch Display Research, discussed hot trends of 2015-2016. Dr. Colegrove included high resolution, transparent display, wearable device, and flexible display in the hot trends. Of these she pointed out ITO replacement material regarding touch panel. She mentioning metal mesh, silver nanowire, CNT, and graphene as materials that could replace ITO. Dr. Colegrove added that the material has to be flexible in order to be applicable to flexible display and needs to have high efficiency.

 

그래핀

 

Hanwha Techwin’s Dr. Seungmin Cho announced that graphene, which has higher uniformity compared to ITO, will be the material of future. With lower resistance than ITO, graphene shows good characteristics, but Dr. Cho explained that high cost and particles produced are issues that need to be solved. He also commented that China selected graphene related national projects and is striving to develop the technology.

 

Dr. Hyunkoo Lee of ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) presented that the multi-layered graphene that ETRI, Sungkyunkwan University, and KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) co-developed will become the material that can replace ITO. He also introduced the results that as the transmittance is particularly high, it is suitable for transparent display, and compared to silver nanowire material in high resolution top emission structure, the display’s brightness is higher.

 

ITO replacement development is an issue for the future of display industry’s progress. It is estimated that research development on graphene as one of the ITO replacement electrodes will be actively carried out.

 

그래핀2

[Merck Display Insight 2015] Merck Reveals Latest Performance Results for Red and Green Solution Process Materials

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On November 5, during the 16th Merck Display Insight 2015 seminar, Merck revealed the development results for solution process materials. The solution process materials presented were red and blue materials’ efficiency, lifetime, and CIE.

 

At present UDC’s evaporation materials are being used in OLED mass production. UDC’s evaporation material performance, published on the company website, were compared with Merck’s materials. Merck’s red material’s efficiency was 19.1cd/A, lifetime was 5,900 hours, and the CIE was (0.66, 0.34) which were approximately 66% of UDC material’s efficiency (29cd/A), 26% of UDC material’s lifetime (23,000 hours), and showed equal CIE.

 

For Merck’s green material, efficiency was 76.4cd/A, lifetime was 5,200 hours, and the CIE was (0.32, 0.63). These were approximately 89% of UDC’s green’s 85cd/A of efficiency, and 29% of 18,000 hours of lifetime. The CIE were similar with UDC’s (0.31, 0.63).

 

The comparison of the published materials’ performance, efficiency of solution process materials are developed to the similar levels as evaporation materials, but material lifetime require more research. Through this seminar, Merck revealed that the LT95’s solution process material’s lifetime will be solution process OLED’s most crucial challenge.

 

During the question and answer part of the poster session, Merck also revealed positive outlook that full stack solution process OLED product will be produced within the next 3-4 years.

 

Despite being one of the latecomers within the OLED material business, Merck is producing notable results in solution process material development and OLED material sales. This year’s sales results are anticipated to be higher than expected.

 

According to 2015 Solution Process OLED Annual Report, published by UBI Research, the key issue for solution process OLED is solution process emitting material performance. The solution process red and green’s efficiency reached to the similar levels as evaporation material. However, lifetime showed to be ≤approx. 30% of evaporation material in LT95. On the other hand, solution process blue is analyzed to be falling behind evaporation material in both lifetime and efficiency. As such, it is estimated that solution process OLED will be mass produced using the hybrid structure where red and green are formed through printing, and blue is formed through evaporation.

[IWFPE 2015] AUO’s Bendable AMOLED

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During the IWFPE 2015 (November 4-6) held in Jeonju, South Korea, AUO gave a presentation on bendable AMOLED’s concept and technology first revealed in August.

 

AUO’s R&D manager Terence Lai reported that the bendable AMOELD can actualize new user interface through applying display’s bending characteristics and this can be the innovation that could change the existing touch interface.

 

AUO’s bendable AMOLED is 5inch with 295 PPI using the LTPS TFT and hybrid encapsulation with top emission structure. It has 02.mm thickness and through bending sensor of file type, it can process diverse functions by detecting different bending directions.

 

Current flexible AMOLED trend is moving from curved to foldable, jumping past bendable. Key panel companies and research laboratories are focusing on developing foldable.

 

It is anticipated that the AUO’s bendable AMOLED panel will provide new direction for the flexible AMOLED development that is heading toward foldable. Development of applications suitable to bendable and functions that utilizes bending characteristics are expected to be key issues.

 

AUO's 5" Bendable AMOLED Prototype

AUO’s 5″ Bendable AMOLED Prototype

LG OLED TV Records Highest Monthly Sales Volume

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LG Electronics’ strategy of OLED promotion and OLED TV price reduction appears to be working successfully.

 

On November 3, LG Electronics reported that the October sales exceeded 4,500 units, twice the volume of early 2015. Particularly, the sales volume of the first week of October exceeded 2,000 units and contributed to breaking the monthly sales volume record.

 

The OLED TV’s bigger price drops from the last week of September seem to have led the high sales volume in the first week of October. According to Amazon, 55inch FHD curved OLED TV fell to US$ 1,797 from October, approximately a 28% drop from August’s US$ 2,499. 55inch UHD curved OLED TV and UHD flat OLED TV also fell to the US$ 2,000 range, making the price difference with UHD LCD TV to be US$ 500. This price competitiveness is analyzed to contribute to the increased sales volume.

 

Aggressive marketing is also a factor for this sales volume growth. In September, LG Electronics installed OLED TV in 39 key airports in 23 countries including the US, Germany, and Russia, and revealed plan to install approximately 200 units of OLED TV until the end of October. Advertisement of OLED TV can also be easily seen in Korean subway stations. LG Electronics’ OLED promotion strategy, revealed during the Q2 performance announcement appears to be effective.

 

Recently, LG Electronics announced their aim to lead the OLED TV market through strengthening OLED=LG image and OLED TV and UHD TV product diversification.

LG 55inch OLED TV Price Changes

LG Electronics Strives to Establish OLED=LG Image

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On October 29, during the performance announcement, LG Electronics revealed their plan to carry out aggressive marketing through establishment of OLED=LG image.

 

LG Electronics Home Entertainment business reported that the TV shipment doubled in this quarter compared its previous quarter due to OLED TV and UHD TV product mix. LG Electronics reported that OLED TV market expansion from Korea and North America into Europe and Russia among others contributed to the sales increase.

 

LG Electronics is anticipating sales increase in Q4 from peak TV market and general market promotion brought premium TV sales expansion. Accordingly, LG Electronics forecast their Q4 sales to be similar to 2014 and that business profit to increase slightly due to improvement in TV’s profit stabilization.

 

Regarding aggressive marketing from Chinse TV companies including Hisense, and TCL, Jinho Ha of LG Electronics Home Entertainment planning department, admitted the threat. However, through premium TV technology such as smart TV, design, and OLED, Ha explained that they will secure product superiority. He also added that Chinse companies’ North American TV market share is around 3% in terms of volume and remains minimal in revenue.

 

New premium OLED TV release brought better than expected response from consumers. It is also receiving positive reviews; several media have selected the product as this year’s TV. The company reported that they will strive to expand the market through extension from the premium TV.

 

LG Electronics’ total revenue was announced to be 13,000 million USD* with business profit of 270 million USD. Home Entertainment department reported 4,000 million USD, a 9% increase from previous quarter, with business profit of 33 million USD.

 

* 1 USD = 1,100 KRW

ETRI’s Doo-Hee Cho Receives IEC 1906 Award

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On October 23, ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) Information & Communications Core Technology Research Laboratory’s Dr. Doo-Hee Cho received IEC 1906 Award at World Standards Day ceremony. The IEC 1906 Award recognizes exceptional current achievements and it is presented by the International Electrotechnical Commission, one of the top 3 international standards organizations.

 

Dr. Cho has been active in IEC since his involvement in 2009. The activities include serving as the president of IEC·TC34 (lighting)’s OLED working group and establishment of IEC 62866: Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) panels for general lighting – Safety requirements.

 

Founded in 1906, IEC is one of the top 3 international standards organizations along with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and ITU (International Telecommunication Union) with 83 member countries. IEC established IEC 1906 Award in 2004. Since then they have been selecting industry’s experts with outstanding contribution to electrotechnical standardization and IEC development and presenting the award annually. With this award for Dr. Cho, acceleration to OLED lighting’s international standardization and OLED lighting business growth are anticipated.


IEC 1906 Award Badge

IEC 1906 Award Certificate

Dr. Doo-Hee Cho

LG Display Reveals Confidence in OLED

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On October 22, LG Display emphasized their conviction in large area OLED and plastic OLED once again when announcing the performance results held in LG Twin Towers. LG Display revealed that their future business will be OLED and will lead the market through OLED.

 

LG Display’s CFO Sang-don Kim announced that OLED is the top priority in terms of portfolio, and regarding display’s future direction, explained that there is new momentum through automotive, IoT, and commercial display. He also added that the sales did not quite meet what was estimated earlier this year but it is on proper track.

 

LG Display is estimating 400-500 thousand units of OLED TV panel shipment for TV and aiming for 1 million units next year. Regarding the poor sales, he gave trial errors in new technology development, which was the main focus, as the reason. LG Display will plan optimized investment after market trend consideration.

 

In 2015, 55inch or larger panel for TV occupied 8% of the shipment, but the target is gradually increasing it to 20% or higher. LG Display highlighted TVs are becoming larger at a fast pace; 65inch and 77inch OLED TV, rather than what was expected to be the main product 55inch, showed higher than expected sales. Kim explained that to maximize production cost reduction of OLED panel, they are internally adjusting material cost and yield. He also forecast that the demand will increase through production increasing projects.

 

LG Display recorded 7,000 million USD* of revenue in 2015 Q3. This 7% increase compared to its previous quarter is due to the increase of shipment area through TV’s panel size increase and success of product mix. Business profit fell by 32% compared to previous quarter with 300 million USD*. LG Display revealed they will push for profit improvement through inventory level management and operation rate adjustment. They also reported they will strengthen competitiveness through synergy with OLED lighting business and showed anticipation for future.

 

* 1 USD = 1,100 KRW

 

LG디스플레이

Absolute Requirements for the Automotive OLED Display’s Success

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On October 15, in IMID Exhibition Business Forum held in Korea International Exhibition Center (October 14-16), KATECH (Korea Automotive Technology Institute)’s head of Intelligent Control System R&D Center Dr. Inbeom Yang presented ‘Future of Automotive Technology and the Role of Smart Display’ and forecast the future of automotive display.

 

Dr. Yang revealed that “if existing vehicles focused on technological factors, future vehicles will evolve entirely centering on the driver, and the automotive display also will develop following this trend”. He also added that the driver’s safety and convenience have to be the priority.

 

Dr. Yang gave 4 examples of future automotive display. Firstly, he discussed ADAS and their flaws. ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) help the driver to operate the vehicle safely. If ADAS can be actualized through displays such as HUD (head-up display), the driver’s safety can be maintained with ease.

 

The second item mentioned was a function that notifies the driver status reports linked with time and location. Dr. Yang reported that a device needs to be developed that can function in specific situations with sensors and sounds as well as on display.

 

Dr. Yang forecast that if display, touch technology, and haptic technology are combined and applied to vehicles, operation and feedback will be simpler for the driver. He announced that multi-functional & configuration display will also be introduced which will allow driver to recognize and control.

 

Audi’s concept vehicle that was presented in IAA 2015 Audi e-tron quattro has full OLED interface and all functions required for the vehicle operation can be controlled via touch display without physical buttons.

 

As futuristic displays such as these are developed that increases driver’s convenience, the proportion of display within a vehicle is expected to increase, and developed focusing on the driver centered UI (user interface). OLED Display can maximize the driver’s accuracy with fast response rate and high contrast ratio. Along with safety, and design freedom that comes with flexibility, it is suitable for automotive display. However, the linkage with the UI system optimized for the driver is essential rather than performance of the display panel itself; collaboration between display panel companies, and automotive system and peripheral companies is expected to be a major point in early market occupancy between automotive display panel companies.

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro ,Geneva International Motor Show

LG Electronics Bets on OLED TV

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LG Electronics actively began aggressive marketing for OLED TV.

 

In IMID Exhibition (October 14-16), LG Electronics installed an OLED comparison experience zone to allow the visitors to see OLED TV and LCD TV at once. This direct comparison exhibition with OLED and LCD is the 2nd one after one in WIS 2015. In this exhibition in IMID Exhibition 2015, LG Electronics presented their new 2015 release 55inch UHD LCD TV and 55inch UHD OLED TV. This is considered a reflection of LG Electronics’ determination to target the market through OLED TV rather than LCD TV.

 

LCD TV is illuminated through BLU and therefore difficult to achieve perfect black. Through IMID Exhibition 2015’s comparison experience zone, LG Electronics emphasized OLED TV’s merits such as perfect black, perfect viewing angle, and ultra slim design.

 

Since the release of OLED TV, LG Electronics continued presentations that emphasized OLED TV’s advantages in diverse exhibitions. However, recently they are pursuing aggressive promotion focusing on OLED even exhibiting comparison against their own latest LCD TV. On the other hand, their rival Samsung Electronics is maintaining their 2-track strategy of using OLED and LCD in different applications each. The industry is focused on how these development will affect the large area TV market.

 

OLED Comparison Experience Zone, LG Display, IMID 2015

OLED Comparison Experience Zone, LG Display, IMID 2015

Samsung to Increase External Transaction by More Than 30%

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Samsung Electronics reported a third-quarter earnings through a conference call on October 29 local time. Samsung Display’s Chang Hoon Lee revealed that OLED panel’s production cost can now compete against LCD and the company has plans to increase the external transaction ratio by more than 30% of yield.

The display business department was expected to have a difficult time in Q3 2015 due to the smartphone market’s slowdown of growth and latecomers’ competitiveness increase. However, with the key customer base’s release of new products and increase of new clientele, and secured operation ratio, the performance results improved.

Lee also revealed 2016 strategy of increasing the low-to-medium priced products, expanding the new market, diversifying products, and procuring transaction base. Lee also added that Samsung will prepare to secure new growth power through transparent, mirror, HUD, and automotive display development via technology leadership in areas such as flexible OLED.

It was also announced that the additional installation of OLED line will be decided after examining the market status. A3 line has been in operation since April. Supply competitiveness will be strengthened through complementary investment for existing line.

Samsung Electronics recorded a 6% increase compared to the previous quarter with revenue of USD 47 billion. With the help of currency exchange rate, business profit showed approximately USD455 million compared to the previous quarter with USD 6.7 billion.

Samsung and LG’s Shared Vision for OLED

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On the first day of OLEDs World Summit (October 27-29) held in Berkeley, USA, Samsung Display and LG Display gave their talks back to back. Samsung Display’s Vice President Chang Hoon Lee and LG Display’s Joo Soo Lim discussed their thoughts on OLED under the titles of ‘The Future of OLEDs’ and ‘A Future Game Changer’ respectively.

Samsung Display’s Lee, who gave his presentation first, reiterated Samsung Display’s leadership position in the mobile market and how Samsung Electronics’ recent mobile display reflects this. Comparing RGB pixel structure and their own diamond pixel structure, Lee drew comparison between human eyes and diamond pixels; due to cell distribution in eyes, humans are more sensitive to green colors and that diamond pixels reflect this by having twice as many green subpixels as blue and red ones. The diamond pixels also maximize the sub-pixel packing and increases the PPI.

Regarding the advantages of OLED display, Lee gave 2 examples using Samsung Electronics’ latest smartphone models. Utilizing the fact that selective control of each pixel is possible in AMOLED displays, Samsung provided Vision Aid to help people with color blindness. OLED’s ability to achieve total black is used in Super Dimming function where screen brightness can be reduced to 2nits to be used in the dark environment.

LG Display’s Lim revealed that an adult in the US spends 9 hours 40 minutes a day on average looking at one form of display or another. Highlighting the need and importance of quality display, Lim also discussed advantages of OLED display over LCD such as total black, 3D effects, and color gamut.

As the future OLED display, Both Lee and Lim placed slightly more emphasis on flexible (plastic) OLED than transparent or mirror display. Samsung Display discussed requirements necessary for a successful flexible display in more depth touching on the need for suitable cover window, flexible touch (sensor), flexible encapsulation, and flexible backplane. On the other hand, LG Display discussed flexible display’s design freedom and its influences on the wearable, mobile, and automotive markets. Lim also placed much importance on how flexible OLED can be used in virtual reality display market. The 2 speakers ended their talks affirming the need for new display market and innovation through OLED technology and new applications.

The presentations given by the 2 apparent leaders in the OLED display industry were remarkably similar with both speakers underlining major points of OLED in broad strokes. The need for solutions for future OLED, whether it be flexible, transparent, or mirror display, through innovation and technological advances is an absolute truth if not maybe too obvious. There also may be some comfort to be had in the shared vision within the OLED community. However, it is also a fact that numerous attendees of the conference commented on the similarities of the 2 presentations and the lack of any surprises.

What is Solution Process OLED’s Key Issue?

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In the 2015 Display Printed Electronics Seminar held in The K Hotel in Seoul on October 7, Dankook University’s Professor Byung Doo Chin and Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology’s Dr. Jaemin Lee gave presentations. They discussed key issues of solution process OLED; Professor Chin examined technological issues of print OLED/PLED device while Dr. Lee discussed technology trend of solution process OLED device.

 

Professor Chin reported that of the materials being used in current solution process, red, and green progressed greatly in terms of efficiency and lifetime. However, he explained that as blue’s efficiency and lifetime are lower than the other 2 colors, unless these issues improve, white actualization, as well as blue actualization, is difficult and panel cannot properly perform.

 

Material research development can occur for evaporation OLED only through material synthesis and purification. However, for solution process OLED, turning the materials to ink has to be additionally considered. Dr. Lee announced that diverse collaboration are happening between material and ink related companies for these reasons.

 

In the seminar, Professor Chin and Dr. Lee agreed that the key to the solution process OLED development is material characteristics development. According to the solution process material traits presented by Sumitomo Chem. and DuPont, while red and green traits are fast catching up to ones used for evaporation OLED, this is not true for blue. Despite these disadvantages, solution process OLED is a key technology that can produce large area RGB OLED panel using Gen8, or higher, manufacturing equipment; continued research development of solution process technology is expected in future.

Samsung Display Expands AMOLED Panel Supply. A Green Light for AMOLED Business?

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On October 7, Samsung Electronics announced tentative Q3 performance results. The announced sales figure and operating profit are approximately US$ 46,000 million and US$ 7,000 million each. These figures are an increase of 5.07% from previous quarter’s sales (US$ 44 thousand million) and a 5.8% increase from previous quarter’s operating profit (US$ 6,000 million), much higher numbers than industry’s expectations.

 

Compared to the same period in 2014, operating profit increased by 79.80%, and since last year’s Q4, the rise is continuing for the 4th quarter. The display business department’s much higher figures than expected is considered to be the main reason for this performance increase.

 

The major cause for this positive effects is increase in demand for general class AMOLED panel through Samsung Display’s aggressive procurement of customer base; AMOLED panel is applied to Samsung Electronics’ mid to low priced smartphones and there is great increase in AMOLED panel applied products by set companies of other countries such as China.

 

Due to the increased demand, Samsung Display’s operation rate rose, and it is estimated that this will also greatly affect material companies’ performance improvement.

Solution Process Panel, Cheaper To Produce than LCD

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According to 2015 Solution Process OLED Report, published by UBI Research on October 14, solution process technology could produce 55inch OLED panel at approximately 43% cheaper cost compared to WRGB method.

 

The report added that this value is the result of analysis of 2015 Q2 55inch UHD OLED panel price and yield, which is slightly higher than current production price of 55inch UHD LCD panel. However, considering that the solution process OLED structure will become simplified and that yield of backplane and encapsulation can be improved, the OLED panels will be able to be produced at lower cost than LCD panel. The report also revealed that solution process OLED can be an alternative solution for large area OLED panel in achieving price competitiveness.

 

Solution process is a technology that can produce large area RGB pixel OLED panel using Gen8, or higher, equipment without cutting the mother glass. Key AMOLED panel companies are active in developing this technology.

 

However, as solvent is used in order to turn the existing evaporation material into ink, its purity is decreased leading to lower emitting efficiency and therefore lower lifetime. Despite these factors, key panel companies’ enthusiasm for solution process technology is due to the high emitting material usage efficiency without using color filter, and simple structure compared to WRGB OLED panel which leads to production cost decrease.

 

Panasonic has been most active in developing solution process applied OLED panel, and has presented several times in CES and IFA. BOE and AUO also have revealed solution process OLED panel produced via ink-jet manufacturing equipment, and CSOT is considering solution process development. Samsung Display and LG Display, leaders of AMOLED industry, are also actively developing the technology. LG Display has adopted Gen8 ink-jet manufacturing equipment, and Samsung Display has started solution process OLED panel development with a focus on ink-jet manufacturing equipment companies.

 

Material and manufacturing equipment companies as well as panel companies are leading the solution process technology development and commercialization. Kateeva agreed on technology collaboration with Sumitomo Chem. while Merck did the same with Seiko Epson. DuPont recently revealed that they enlarged solution process OLED material production facilities and began operation.

 

Following these participation by key panel, material, and manufacturing equipment companies in solution process technology development and commercialization, it is anticipated that the solution process OLED panel market will record rapid growth.

 

UBI Research’s 2015 Solution Process OLED Report forecast that solution process OLED panel market will actively begin mass production from 2018 and show approximately US$ 2,329 million in 2020.

 

Solution process OLED panel수정2

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

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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

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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

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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 1st week and the 2nd week of September. However, in the 3rd 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.

 

lg oled tv price fall

 

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

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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

Porsche Mission E, Porsche Home page

Q2 AMOLED Market, the Largest So Far

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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?

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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.

 

uhd china graph 1

 

uhd china graph 2

 

uhd china graph 3 2

UBI Research Organizes ‘2015 Display Printed Electronics Seminar’

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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*

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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

OLED Material Market Revenue 2014 H1 – 2015 H1

[IFA 2015] The Return of the OLED King

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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 Gear2, IFA 2015

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

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

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

Galaxy Gear2 Booth, IFA 2015

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

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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

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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

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

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

[IFA 2015] Panasonic OLED TV

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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 OLED TV, IFA 2015

 

Panasonic OLED TV, IFA 2015

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?

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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.

 

11

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.

 

22

LG Electronics, IFA 2015

 

33

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

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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

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

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

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 Tg (glass-transition temperature) and layering it as in figure 4, and placing TSP on top.

 

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

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

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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.

 

그래프1(영)_v0

 

그래프2(영)

Mitsubishi Chemical and Pioneer Develops Bluelight-less OLED Lighting

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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

Source: MPOL

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

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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

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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

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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.

 

 

Hyundai Motors's Munhyun Kim, IMID 2015

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

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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.

 

Hyundai Motors's Munhyun Kim, IMID 2015

[IMID 2015] LG Display Reveals Detailed OLED Plans

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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

LG Display’s Sang Deog Yeo, IMID 2015

Samsung Electronics Unveils Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus

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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?

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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

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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.

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

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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.

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[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.

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[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.

 

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[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

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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

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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 1m2 area 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

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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%).

 

0805 graph1

 

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.

 

0805 graph2

 

 

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?

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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 20th 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 21st 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

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Samsung's Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge

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

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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

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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?

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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

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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

Visionox’s Flexible AMOLED Panel, Source: Visionox

 

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

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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

Source: UBI Research

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

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At the 10th 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.

 

미래 디스플레이 전략 대토론회

 

UHD OLED TV, Rapidly Catching Up to SUHD TV Price

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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?

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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

LG OLED UHD TV, SID 2015

 

Samsung OLED UHD TV, IFA 2013

Samsung OLED UHD TV, IFA 2013

 

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

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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.

<LG Chem’s R&D Roadmap, Source : LG chem>

<Front View of LG Chem Booth, Lighting Fair Japan 2015>

By HyunJun Jang, reporter@olednet.co.kr

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

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141107_단국대 이준엽 교수

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 1st 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 15th 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

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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!

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140912_Smart Watch는 OLED다

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

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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>