PPG Industries and Universal Display established a strategic relationship in 2000, and since then PPG is the exclusive producer of UDC's PHOLED emitter materials. The two companies announced that they will establish a new manufacturing site in Shannon, Ireland, for the production of UDC's emitters.
The new facility will double the production capacity of UDC's OLED emitters at PPG, and will also diversify the company's manufacturing base. UDC leased the Ireland site (which, up until now, was producing pharmaceutical intermediates) and will adapt it to PHOLED production. Facility improvements and regulatory approvals are expected to be completed in the next 12 months, and operations are scheduled to commence in early 2022.
The two companies recently celebrated their 20-year partnership. PPG's first PHOLED production plantwas located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA. In 2013, the two companies opened the second OLED production plant in Barbertron as demand for OLED materials increased. The Barberton fab was expanded in 2017 when UDC invested $15 million in the facility to double its commercial production capacity.
