The screen industry seems to be moving at rapid pace in order to commercialize OLED screens. Taiwanese AUO - one of the world's largest display panel manufacturers - reports that they want to accelerate their plans for OLED by forming a strategic alliance with Idemitsu, who already collaborates with LG.

AUO to accelerate OLED plans
AUO is one of the major display panel manufacturers today. They do not produce their own TVs but instead sell panels to other manufacturers such as Samsung, Sony, BenQ and more.


AUO’s 32-inch OLED-TV prototype

AUO has researched in OLED technology for years. They put a hold on their plans for a few years but they are now fully engaged again. AUO has teamed up with Idemitsu Kosan that will supply AUO with OLED know-how and materials for AUO’s production of OLED panel. The agreement also commits AUO to accelerate their commercialization of OLED displays.

This is quite interesting because Idemitsu is actually one of LG’s partners. Idemitsu supply OLED material to LG.Display and has also bought 33% of a patent company called Global OLED Technology - owned by LG. Global OLED Technology owns over 2000 patents related to OLED technology - including those from Kodak’s early research in OLED. Sony and Panasonic are also working together with Idemitsu.

AUO expects to start mass production of 4-5" OLED panels in the second quarter of 2012 at their plant in Taiwan. In 2013, AUO’s next OLED plant will start mass production and AUO is also expanding into large-size OLED-TV panels. Learn more about AUO’s 32-inch OLED prototype here.

- Source: AUO / Idemitsu