Sony, Panasonic collaborate on next-gen OLED production
updated 03:15 pm EDT, Mon June 25, 2012
Companies aim to lower large OLED panel production costs
Sony and Panasonic have reportedly signed an agreement to jointly develop next-generation OLED panels. The deal, previously rumored last month, would help the companies share the costs of manufacturing the advanced panels destined for HDTVs, as the current costs for large OLED panels has proven too high for mass production.
The two companies will be developing a printing-based fabrication method for the larger panels. Panasonic is said to have significant experience with the technique, with unique production and equipment technologies that make possible OLED production through an “all printing method." Sony has been promoting the research and development of hybrid OLED elements and processing methods that combine deposition and printing methods, oxide TFTs, and flexible organic TFTs.
Although Sony and Panasonic will be working together to develop the manufacturing technology, they will be releasing the resulting products separately—no cross-branded offerings are expected in the immediate future. The first round of next-generation OLED panels is expected in 2013, initially arriving in mobile devices before heading to televisions.
