UK-based OTFT display backplane developer SmartKem announced that it has signed a joint development agreement with Taiwan-based PMOLED-maker RiTdisplay, for the production of OTFT-based AMOLED display prototypes.
SmartKem's technology could enable RiTDisplay to produce AMOLED displays at a lower cost, and, more significantly, to use its own PMOLED production line without the large investment needed for an LTPS AMOLED Line. The current agreement includes a prototype display development, it will have to be seen whether it will be expanded in the future for actual production.
SmartKem's OTFT backplane materials (branded as TRUFLEX) are designed to be used in standard process equipment. RiTdisplay believes that it will be able to produce high-performance, high-flexibility and highly-reliable OTFT-AMOLED displays, at a lower cost compared to other AMOLED displays on the market.
Earlier this year SmartKem closed a $24.6 million private placement financing. Smartkem is developing backplane materials for OLEDs, ePaper and mini-LED devices. We recently posted an interview with the company's CEO and chairman, Ian Jenks.
RiTdisplay is one of the world's leading PMOLED maker. The company actually has a history of trying to produce AMOLED displays. Back in 2012, RiT, together with IGNIS Innovation, aimed to start producing AMOLED displays on a-Si backplanes, with compensation technology provided by IGNIS. RiT actually started production, but this project was later abandoned. We hope that this new OTFT-based project will be more successful.
A couple of years ago RiT announced a shift to MicroLED display production (in collaboration with PlayNitride, who also become a major shareholder in the company) as PMOLED sales slowed down. We do not know what is the status of this microLED project.
