Poland is aiming to become a major innovation and high-tech hub, and the country is already enjoying a growing industry, focusing on IT, bio-technology, robotics and nanotechnology.
Poland has a strong material science and development expertise, and in recent years we have been seeing OLED and display-related ventures out of Poland. It seems Poland is poised to become an interesting location to watch for future innovation in the OLED industry.
Ergis Group noDiffusion OLED encapsulation film
One such company is the Poland-based Ergis Group, a leader in plastic processing active in markets such as food packaging, industrial, automotive, medical and more. In 2020, Ergis launched its first product for the optoelectronic applications (such as the display market and photovoltaics) - the Ergis noDiffusion films for flexible OLED panels (both displays and lighting) and OPVs. Ergis is using a unique ALD-based technology that enables it to offer high performance films on low cost PET films.
Ergis is now busy scaling up its production capabilities and is in trials with several OLED producers. We have discussed the hi-tech situation in Poland with Pawel Mitraszewski, a director at Ergis in charge of noDiffusion business development. "Ergis together with it’s technological partner have completed laboratory tests stage with very positive results. Now we are on the process of scaling up preparation, R2R system implementation. We have completed phase 1 testing and now we are waiting for achived parameters data which is time consuming. We are optimistic concerning those results expectations, then if confirmed an investment decision will have to be taken.".
Another interesting company based in Poland is Noctiluca, which develops TADF emitters and Hyperfluorescence OLED systems. The company, based in the EU, was spun-off Synthex, a top tier chemical CRO. Noctiluca, led by organic chemistry specialist Dr. Mariusz Bosiak, took a decade of experience servicing largest chemical conglomerates in the World while building Synthex and applied it to light emitting materials.
Following intensive research and multiple financing rounds, the company managed to develop a full RGB pallet of TADF materials both for PVD and IJP applications, as well as a wide offering of patent free OLED materials available upon request. Noctiluca is now testing its materials with several OLED producers, including Tier 1 players. The company IPO is planned for 2Q 2022.
WrocÅaw-based XTPL develops and markets equipment for ultra-precise dispensing of functional inks. XTPL developed additive printing methods that reportedly offer unprecedented precision, down to 1 um minimal feature size, without the need to use electric fields. These dispensing modules are highly suitable for display material deposition, and the company is now focused on the flat panel display sector, offering systems specifically tailored for OLED material printing. XTPL collaborates with global industrial FPD equipment manufacturers to bring its solutions to yield management in OLED and microLED applications.
All the companies mentioned here, Ergis, Noctiluca and XTPL, have a strong material technology basis, and it seems as these are just the first few display-related companies to come out of Poland's strong material industry. It'll be interesting to watch how the industry evolves in Poland in the future!
