Samsung Display has announced the successful development of a pioneering recycling technology for quantum dot (QD) ink, claiming a breakthrough that could recover 80% of the expensive ink typically discarded in QD-OLED display production. The process, which recaptures and purifies unused QD ink to restore its original quality, is set to save the company 10 billion won ($7.3 million) annually.
The QD-OLED display, a premium offering in Samsung’s portfolio, relies on precision inkjet technology to spray quantum dot ink with micrometer precision, creating red and green emissive layers. However, approximately 20% of this ink was previously wasted, with unused amounts accumulating in micro-nozzles during the manufacturing process. The new recycling process refines and purifies the ink as newly synthesized QD ink.
Following a task force launch in December 2023, Samsung Display’s BP Technology team successfully developed an in-house QD ink recycling facility last August. The reclaimed ink, now in use on production lines, demonstrates the same purity and optical properties as original materials, claims Samsung.
