IHS expects the market for flexible displays to expand, based on several factors – including a recent sharp rise in the number of patent applications for flexible display technologies.
312 flexible display patents were filed with the US PTO last year, with UI technology the most active sector. Flexible displays accounted for 62% of US display patent applications in 2014.
Iam Lim, senior analyst at IHS, says that flexible displays will “create an entirely new display market and replace existing non-flexible display solutions”.
Samsung filed half of all new flexible display patents in the USA last year, followed by LG (17%). Most focus on preventing image degradation, reducing device distortion and providing new UI solutions.
Patents dealing with parts and manufacturing technologies – primarily focusing on polyimide flexible substrates and metal nanowire in OLED displays – were also popular. However, patents for flexible display device technologies outnumbered those for parts and manufacturing technologies, indicating that the market is entering a period of maturing growth.
