LG Display and LG Chem have succeeded in localizing a key OLED material that has been monopolized by overseas companies. On October 9, the two companies announced that they have developed "p-type dopant (p-Dopant)," a core OLED material that has been entirely imported, with their own technology.
Dopants are compounds added to OLED light emitting layers to improve device efficiency, color purity, and lifespan. Among them, p-Dopant plays the most important role in dramatically improving OLED light emission efficiency, extending device life, and reducing power consumption. However, it is considered one of the most difficult OLED materials to develop because it is easily degraded in air.
After more than a decade of joint research aimed at localizing p-Dopant, the two companies have succeeded in developing a material with the same efficiency and performance as existing imported materials with their own technology.
This is the result of maximizing the synergies between the two companies, with LG Display proposing material design and performance verification, and LG Chem synthesizing and producing the material.
"After successfully mass-producing the world's first 55-inch OLED TV panel in 2013, we took the opportunity to strengthen our leadership in OLED technology by combining our 10 years of technology and independently developing core materials," said Yoon Soo-young, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of LG Display.
In particular, OLEDs with a multi-layer structure, such as tandem OLEDs, require a large amount of p-Dopant, making it even more important to secure related materials.
With the localization of p-Dopant, LG Display has established an independent and stable supply chain, secured its own patent, and added new momentum to lead the global OLED market.
It will also contribute to the development of the domestic material, component, and equipment ecosystem. LG Display has been promoting localization of materials, parts, and equipment with domestic partners to enhance the independence of the OLED industry and strengthen the supply chain, and with this localization, the company's localization rate of OLED materials has increased from 58% last year to 64% this year.
"We will continue to promote localization of materials, components, and equipment based on our 10 years of OLED mass production to further strengthen our OLED technology leadership and position in the premium market," said Lee Hyeon-woo, Senior Vice President and Head of Large Display Business Unit at LG Display.
