LG’s new M2 OLED plant will start operating next month, which means that LG will start mass-production of its new 65 and 77-inch 4K OLED TVs. LG is also exploring a new roll-to-roll production method to make OLED cheaper.
A bigger & more efficient plant
LG is currently producing OLED TVs at the M1 line in Paju, South Korea. The new M2 line will quadruple LG’s OLED production capacity, reduce costs, and allow LG to create much larger OLED TVs.
This is also where LG will produce its 65 and 77-inch 4K OLED TVs. The 4K OLED TVs are only available in very, very limited quantities at the moment because LG needs the new factory before it can start ramping up mass production.
At M2, LG will operate with 2,200x2,500 mm substrates that can be cut into three 65-inch OLED TVs or two 77-inch OLED TVs. LG previously said that it will be able to produce 110-inch OLED TVs at the new plant. The new M2 line can output 26,000 substrates per month, and because of the larger substrates LG can reduce production costs per panel.
LG is also exploring a new roll-to-roll production technology to lower costs. It is a printing method where a plastic substrate passes through two “rolls” during production. The new method is not only cheaper, but is also required for LG to make truly rollable or flexible OLED panels for mobile devices and TVs.
- "Based on the equipment that LG Display already possesses, we have already finished preparation to use technology (in production)," said Kim Kyung-min, a researcher at LG Display R&D, to CNET.
- Source: CNET (1, 2) & Forbes
