LG Display to Invest in New OLED Light Panel Facility

South Korean company, LG, is making great strides in the lighting industry with its investment in a new OLED light panel production facility, which will reportedly be the first 5th generation (1000 x 1200mm) OLED light panel production facility in the globe. It will be built in the city of Gumi, where it will manufacture an array of OLED light panels.

The first input capacity at the facility will be 15,000 glass substrates per month, and this is anticipated to be gradually ramped up depending on the situation of the market.

LG Display anticipates the increased production in the new facility to provide the company with economies-of-scale, which will then help it achieve huge price competitiveness. Moreover, the accumulated OLED display technical know-how will enable LG Display to significantly improve OLED slight product quality.

The 5th generation plant is also anticipated to provide the company with panel size flexibility. The bigger glass substrate enables LG Display to be able to manufacture an array of different size light panels, which include giant ones. Moreover, this ability to make gigantic panels will better help the company make foray into the general lighting market.

The company’s plan for the new plant is in keeping with its vision of bringing the new OLED technology to customers worldwide in the widest range of applications. LG will initially focus on decorative lighting and task lighting in luxury hospitality and high-end retail stores; and expand to the general lighting market going forward. It will also concentrate on automotive and convergence applications like OLED light panels combined with architectural materials, furniture, electronic devices and many more.

In a statement, Young Kwon Song, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy & Marketing Group at LG Display, said that their OLED light business would further reinforce LG Display’s commitment to nurture OLED as the upcoming growth engine. He revealed that based on their company’s strong track-record and expertise in OLED display business, they would create synergy with the OLED light business and secure their strong position in the overall OLED industry going forward.

OLED light consists of layers of organic materials which consume less power, are self-illuminating and emit lower heat than standard lighting. It is eco-friendly and is closest to natural light. What’s more, its ability to be thin and flexible makes it highly suitable for various applications and venues, as well as could create new markets for lighting.