What Display Daily thinks: This is pretty good news, playing to a local gallery of analysts concerned about the competitiveness of the Korean display industry in OLEDs, in general, and the possibilities that the second half of 2023 may not be as profitable as had been expected.
There’s a general desire in the Korean display industry to see even more investment in ensuring the country maintains its technology lead in OLED manufacturing. Anything that confirms LG and Samsung are staying ahead of the curve, and locking down the supply of vital materials and technologies is of importance to all stakeholders, in government and finance, that have been sounding alarm bells about competition from China.
LG’s Consolidates OLED Supply Chain With LG Chem’s Help
LG Display, in collaboration with LG Chem, has announced the development of their proprietary p-Dopant. LG, talking to local analysts as much as anyone else, says this innovation matches the efficacy and performance of imported alternatives, the culmination of about a decade of joint research and development efforts between the two companies.
Dopants play a pivotal role in OLED displays. They’re incorporated in small quantities to the self-lighting emissive layer, enhancing its efficiency and color purity. Among these, p-Dopant is of special significance due to its ability to boost brightness efficiency and extend the lifespan of an OLED display. However, this particular material is highly sensitive to ambient air, causing it to degrade rapidly. Its technical complexity has earned it a reputation as one of the most challenging materials in the OLED industry.
LG Display is looking at the benefits of this development for its tandem OLEDs. With these multi-layered OLEDs requiring a substantial quantity of p-Dopant, having a steady supply of this material becomes crucial. The company is reassuring investors that it has not only ensured a robust supply chain through this development but has also fortified its position in the global OLED market with its proprietary patents.
According to the company, it has plans to incorporate this self-made p-Dopant into both their large-sized OLED panels as well as the small to mid-sized variants. LG has outlined a systematic approach for its broader application in future products.
