China's TCL CSOT is planning to start small-scale production of inkjet-printed OLED panels by the end of 2024, according to a new report, with plans to expand production in 2025.
In December 2023, FlatpanelsHD reported on TCL's display panel production subsidiary CSOT's plans for inkjet-printed OLED panels for IT devices and later TVs. At that time, the company aimed to begin production in late 2024 or 2025.
A new report from Korean newspaper The Elec now claims that inkjet production will commence towards the end of 2024, starting with a 21.6-inch 4K OLED panel for medical monitors.
TCL CSOT is planning to expand production to other OLED panels for IT devices in 2025, the report said. They will be produced on a Generation 5.5 line.
Inkjet-Printed OLED Displays
Today, OLED panels are typically produced in vacuum chambers through thermal evaporation (VTE), using a sort of spray-painter and a metal mask.
Inkjet-printing, on the other hand, uses a precise inkjet printer to apply the OLED material where needed, reducing waste material. This method can potentially lead to lower production costs.
In 2020, TCL CSOT partnered with Japan OLED (JOLED) to commercialize inkjet-printed OLED panels to compete with LG Display and Samsung Display's OLED technologies. JOLED filed for bankruptcy as of May 2023, but TCL seems determined to carry on with the inkjet printing method.
TCL CSOT's 31-inch dome 4K OLED prototype. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
Inkjet-Printed OLED TVs
TCL CSOT has hinted that printed OLED TVs will arrive in 2025 at the earliest.
However, the company has yet to make a formal announcement on the Generation 8.5 factory, known as T8, required to produce the larger 42-98-inch panels, so the OLED TV panels will likely be delayed.
In the last few years, TCL CSOT has showcased several OLED prototypes including a 65-inch 8K OLED, a 31-inch 4K dome-shaped OLED, and a 14-inch 2.8K laptop OLED.
- Source: The Elec