BOE Display - Page 29

Back in August 2011 we heard reports that BOE Display is considering a 5.5-Gen AMOLED fab in Ordos (Inner Mongolia) in a $3.44 billion investment. It was suggested that this is simply a gimmick to help the company get mining rights, but now we hear that BOE is actively constructing the new plant. The plan is to start with LTPS LCDs and later on move to AMOLED production (this will happen in 2014).

Regarding the rather unique location, it seems that the local government in Ordos is trying to attract the hi-tech industry - they want transform the city from a natural-resource center into a high tech zone.

There are reports that Chinese panel producers BOE Display and China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) are both gearing up AMOLED development.

BOE is apparently focusing on Oxide-TFT backplanes for AMOLED displays, and have produced a 4" WQVGA AMOLED prototype. Back in August 2011 there were reports that BOE Display are planning a $3.5 billion 5.5-Gen fab in Monogola, but we're not sure if this is for real.

There are reports that BOE Display "considers" building a 5.5-Gen AMOLED fab in a $3.44 billion investment. According to the reports, the location will by Ordos (Inner Mongolia).

It seems that people from China's panel industry are questioning the feasibility of this project, as Ordos does not have a panel supply chain. BOE is also trying to get into the coal business and wants to get coal excavating right in the region - so some speculate that this project is simply a gimmick to help the company get those rights from the local government.

Chinese consulting firm CCID released its 2010-2011 survey on China's OLED industry. In 2010, Chinese companies shipped 1.35 million OLED displays, up 38.2% over last year. OLED makers in China include Visionox, Shanwei Truly, Sichuan CCO and Irico. Both Shanghai Tianme and Irico are in the process of building 4.5-Gen AMOLED fabs, planning to start mass production in 2011. BOE Display and Sichuan CCO are also engaged with AMOLED R&D.

The Chinese government continues its support for the OLED industry, including special funds from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and tax policies on new display manufacturers imported materials. But there are still several problems in China's OLED industry - key equipment still needs to be imported (from Japan, Korea and the EU) and China needs raw materials. AMOLED development faces great difficulty due to outdated equipment and inadequate management.

Remember Samsung 14" transparent OLED laptop? PlusPlasticElectronics says that Samsung actually plans to release this laptop as a real product within 12 months. They also reveal that the IceTouch MP3 player will sell for around $330 and will be released in the US in the first half of 2010.

Samsung 14-inch transparent OLED laptop

Samsung wants to dominate the transparent display market, and plans to introduce a range of new products with such displays within the next year. They will even consider products not normally produced at Samsung - such as a transparent automobile navigation system that can be placed on a windscreen. Now how about a transparent OLED TV?