Samsung Display started to bringing display process equipment into Asan 6th Gen Organic Light-Emitting Diode(OLED) factory, ‘A4-2’. It is estimated that the investment is around 1 trillion KRW, and bring warm breeze in display industry.
Samsung Display's A4-2 linesof LCD factory(L7-2), which were closed early last year,is being converted into 6th Gen OLED production lines. If possible, it is expected to start operating in 3rd quarter. Orders for equipment for the line began at the end of last year. As some equipment has been brought in since the first quarter of this year, the process of line construction is very fast. Samsung Display will secure additional 180,000 units of its annual production capacity of 6th generation OLED panels through new OLED line. It is known that investment on the line is around 1 trillion KRW.
A4-2 factory is more like supplementary investment than building a new factory. It was Samsung Display’s investment was placed in order to dissolve quality different between factories, such as other 6th Gen OLED factories, A3 and A4, with new technology.Samsung Display are working in progress of advancement of technology in A3·A4 with touch integrated type, and Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO). Because of this, existing 6th Gen OLED manufacturing capability was decreased.
The equipment industry is welcoming Samsung Display's expansion of OLED investment. As large-scale investment from display panel makers has been absent for a while, facility investment is expected to begin in earnest, starting with the A4-2. Samsung Display's A4-2 plant has capability to secure additional production of 180,000 panels per year. If additional orders are placed, large-scale equipment orders similar to this supplementary investment are expected to follow.
Samsung Display flexibly decide on additional investment with respond to the mobile device OLED demand and market situation. Some display equipment manufacturers are also preparing for Samsung Display's investment in A5 (tentative name) plant. It is known that 6thgeneration OLED or new 8th generation line will be installed in A5 plant. Samsung Display has yet to finalize its factory standards.
By Staff Reporter Dong-jun Kwon (djkwon@etnews.com)