Japanese companies unite to advance OLED display technology
The Japanese technology companies Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Japan Display Inc. (JDI), Sony Corporation and Panasonic Corporation recently announced that they have executed a definitive agreement to establish a new company named JOLED Inc. to integrate Sony and Panasonic's R&D functions for OLED display panels. Through this collaboration, the companies aim to accelerate the development and early commercialisation of OLED display panels. JOLED is scheduled to be launched in January 2015, subject to receipt of any necessary approvals.
INCJ and JDI will respectively hold 75% and 15% of the voting rights in JOLED, and Sony and Panasonic will each hold 5%. In addition, INCJ and JDI plan to make additional investments to fund a pilot manufacturing plant when the technology is ready for commercialisation.
JOLED plans to focus primarily on development of medium-size OLED displays for use in tablets, mobile PCs, and signage, where the unique features of OLED, including lightness/thinness and flexibility, according to the new company can be leveraged best.