Japan Display - Page 8

Japan Display developed a new 5.2" Full-HD (423 ppi) OLED panel, using an WRGB structure and an LTPS backplane. It seems that JDI is advancing quickly in their OLED program, this comes just four months after JDI announced a 4.5" 1280x720 (326 ppi) panel. Back then JDI said they plan to start producing AMOLEDs by 2014.

This is quite an achievement by JDI. Just to compare, Samsung's highest resolution OLED panel, the 4.99" FHD one used in the GS4 has a ppi of 441, but it uses a Pentile matrix.

Japan Display unveiled their first OLED prototype, a 4.5" 1280x720 (326 ppi) panel at the FPDI 2012 exhibition. JD is using an WRGB architecture (white OLEDs with color filters) and a top-emission device structure.

JD says that mass production of this panel will begin in fiscal 2014. Back in April 2012 they announced plans to start OLED mass production by March 2013. In any case, it's great to see their first OLED prototype.

Japan Display (the new small/medium display maker that merged Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba's businesses) announced it will join Kyushu University OPERA center in its OLED research project.

The OPERA center (or the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronic Research) project (titled "Challenges for superior organic EL devices and innovative materials for the devices") is very broad - from basic research to application and development, including synthesis of new luminescent materials, device fabrication and elementary technology for display panel production processing.

Japan Display (the new small/medium display maker that merged Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba's businesses) announced that it plans to start mass producing OLED displays for smartphones. First panel samples are expected by March 2013. In order to have an edge over Samsung, JD aims to achieve over 300 ppi and develop panels that are more efficient than Samsung's OLEDs. Analysts suggest that JD will try to secure Apple as a customer for their OLED panels.

Back in November there were reports that JD plans to accelerate OLED mass production with a $1.3 billion investment in OLED R&D (which probably includes pilot production plants), and later on invest a further $1.4 billion towards mass production. It was suggested that JD may convert their Mobara LCD plant (bought from Panasonic) to LTPS and later to AMOLED production.

Last week we reported that Japan Display (the new small/medium display maker that merged Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba's businesses) may consider to accelerate OLED mass production in a $2.7 billion investment in R&D and production. JD also bought Panasonic's Mobara 6-Gen a-Si LCD plant.

Today we hear reports that JD will convert the new plant to LTPS, and will later use this plant to produce AMOLED displays. It seems that those plans aren't final, but JD's CEO said that the company could start mass producing OLEDs by 2013. If JD does decide to convert that 6-Gen plant to AMOLED production, this will be the largest AMOLED plant currently planned for small/medium panels (Samsung and LG are both building 8-Gen plants, but these will be used for OLED TV panels).

Update: according to new reports, JD may convert the Panasonic plant to LTPS and later to AMOLED production, which may start in 2013...

There are reports that Japan Display (the new small/medium display maker that merged Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba's businesses) plans to accelerate OLED mass production. They plan to invest $1.3 billion in OLED R&D (which probably includes pilot production plants), and later on invest a further $1.4 billion towards mass production. We don't know when they actually plan to start producing panels.

Back in September, when Japan Display was just formed, representatives from Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba said that they certainly consider OLEDs to be the 'core technology' of the next generation small size and medium size displays, and will invest in OLED R&D. It's good to hear that now they are accelerating those plans.

Yesterday we reported that Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi have signed an agreement to establish a new small/medium display business. Today we read some updates regarding the OLED plans of this new company.

Sony hybrid printed OLED prototype

They certainly consider OLEDs to be the 'core technology' of the next generation small size and medium size displays, and will invest in OLED R&D. Interestingly Sony says that their current OLED program focuses on larger OLED panels (17", 24") and so this business will remain at Sony. However they will provide technical OLED support for the new company. Sony is also considering transferring OLED patents to the new company.

As we reported back in June, Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi have signed an agreement to establish a new small/medium display business - with aims to be the world's largest producer of touch LCD displays. The new company will invest in advanced R&D, focusing on next-generation technologies, including high resolution and thin OLEDs. 

Sony hybrid printed OLED prototype

Japan's government fund Innovation Network Corporation (INCJ) will invest around ¥200 billion (around $2.5 billion) in the new company and will own 70% of the shares. The rest will be split evenly between Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi, who will transfer all their related technology and their shares in their small/medium display subsidiaries.

Update: This news is now official.

There are reports that Hitachi is in talks with Sony and Toshiba to join their upcoming small/medium display joint venture. The new company aims to be the world's largest producer of touch LCD displays, and will also develop and produce OLED displays.

Sony hybrid printed OLED prototype

Japan's government fund Innovation Network Corporation (INCJ) will fund the new company and own around 70%-80%. Originally they planned to invest around ¥100 billion (around $1.25 billion), but if Hitachi will join this may double to $2.5 billion. The extra money will reportedly be used to expand OLED capacity.