159.8 billion won invested, with goal of completionby end of next year
Construct 60 types of equipment, security facilities, etc.
Support materials, parts and equipment R&D, technology start-up, etc.

Construction has begun for the 'Display Innovation Process Center', which will serve as a hub for developing advanced display technologies, such as organic light emitting diodes (OLED), and supporting companies. It is expected to become a forward base that will lead next-generation display R&D and manufacturing process innovation.

Chungcheongnam-do and Chungnam Technopark (Chungnam TP), Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology, and Korea Display Industry Association held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Display Innovation Process Center at Chungnam TP on the 24th.

The center is part of the display innovation process platform construction project that has been promoted since 2019. The total project cost is 528.1 billion won, of which 159.8 billion won will be used to build the center. The goal is to complete the project by the end of next year.

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The center will be built on 13,320 square meter sof unused dlandon the Chungnam TP​​. △ 4 types of thin film transistor (TFT), panel design software (SW), andreliability testing equipment △31 types ofOLED process, test and evaluation equipment, process utility △ 14 types of module/material/optical reliability test and evaluation equipment △ 12 types of OLED innovative process equipment andabout 60 types of equipment worth 85 billion won will be introduced. According to the characteristics of the center, it will focus on developing 2nd generation (370 × 470 mm) OLED process.

The equipment will be used for materials, parts, and equipment (MPE) R&D by small and medium-sized display companies. It tests MPE developments with construction equipment and supports commercialization. It is expected to be helpful for small-scale display companies that have difficulty introducing new equipment. It is also equipped with security facilities to prevent external leakage of corporate technology.

The center is a key hub for promoting 66 display R&D research projects. It will develop process method innovations to secure ultra-low cost, innovative materials and processes, and next-generation displaysto secure a technology gap, and convergence display technology to create a new market.

It will also create an ecosystem for start-ups of display technologies. A large-scale incubation centerwill also be set up to discover and foster display startups. Chungnam TP and the Korea Display Industry Association will support startups that have moved in to develop prototypes and secure sales channelsfor small-batch production. It will also operate educational programs such as practical training for employees of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as university students.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Chungnam Provincial Governor Seung-jo Yang, National Assemblyman Wan-joo Park, Director of the Ministryof Trade, Industry and Energy Woo-seok Choi, Cheonan Mayor Sang-don Park, Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial TechnologyYang-ho Jeong, Samsung Display Vice President Ki-seung Lee, and LG Display Vice President Soo-youngYoon.

By staff reporter Dong-joon Kwon (djkwon@etnews.com)