100x100mm OLED Lighting Panel Production Cost, US$ 2.5 Also Possible

As environmental issues are becoming a global concern, countries around the world are introducing environmental policies. Lighting occupies approximately 1,900,000,000 tonnes of global annual carbon dioxide emissions, and is becoming a big environmental regulation issue. Also as it takes up 25% of global power consumption it is an important area for energy reduction. Restriction regarding incandescent light, which used to be the main lighting, started and with active regulation on fluorescent light expected to begin, next generation lighting market is forecast to grow considerably.

At present, LED is in spotlight as the next generation lighting, rapidly expanding the market with its high efficiency and lifetime, replacing incandescent and fluorescent light. OLED does not contain harmful materials or light, and as lighting with high energy efficiency, it is receiving much attention as the most suitable next generation light for environmental and energy reducing policies. However, due to the steep price compared to LED, the market is growing more slowly than estimated.

According to UBI Research’s OLED Lighting Annual Report, published today (14th May), if 100mmx100mm is mass produced using equipment size of 1270mmx1270mm, OLED lighting panel production cost is analyzed to fall to US$ 5 or lower from 3rd year of mass production, and US$ 2.5 from 10th year (when 1 min tack time/single stack). This price is higher than US$ 1 – 3 of incandescent and fluorescent lights but much lower than approximately US$ 10 of LED lamp for interior lighting (60~70lm/W). Additionally, OLED lighting panel is currently being mass produced with superior efficiency and lifetime compared to incandescent and fluorescent lighting, and being developed with efficiency equal to LED. Considering these factors, if active mass production investments by OLED lighting panel companies take place, the market share within the lighting sector is estimated to rapidly increase.

OLED Lighting Annual Report forecast that in the early stages of mass production OLED lighting will form market focusing on areas where OLED lighting’s merits can be utilized in areas such as automotive, medical use, cosmetics, and exhibitions and not through main lighting. However, once mass production competitiveness is achieved, it is expected to quickly expand in main lighting market. Additionally, lighting market with high added value could be created through differentiation using flexible and transparent, and forecast the market to grow to show US$ 2,800,000,000 by 2020, and occupy approximately 10% of the total lighting market.graph

OLEDWorks to Acquire Parts of Philips’ OLED Business

Philips and OLEDWorks signed an agreement that is expected to have significant effect on future direction for the OLED sector of the Philips. On April 28, OLEDWorks announced that they will acquire key parts of Philips’ OLED lighting business.

 

According to OLEDWork’s press release, Philips will establish a new legal entity and transfer key parts of its OLED business in the next few months. This will include the production facility in Aachen, Germany, and relevant intellectual property. All shares of the new entity will subsequently be sold to OLEDWorks. Once the new company has been established, OLEDWorks will be granted license by Philips to market its OLED light source components under the Philips brand. Philips will remain a distributor of the panels through OEM sales channels.

 

OLEDWorks CEO David DeJoy explained that this deal will broaden their mission to deliver high performance OLED light engine to a wide range of lighting applications. Eric Rondolat, CEO of Philips, added it “will enable [them] to focus [their] business and resources on developing innovative connected lighting systems and services for professional and consumer markets”.

 

OLEDWorks is based in Rochester, New York. Founded in 2010, OLEDWorks is the only US-based OLED light engine and panel manufacturer. Currently, OLEDWorks is producing 2 models of white OLED lighting panel samples in sizes of 43×101.6×3.2mm and 65x175x2.0mm. There are 2 kinds of color temperatures, 3,000K and 3,500K, with efficiency of 45lm/W, and lifetime of 10,000 hours or longer (LT70 @ 3,000 cd/m2).

[Euroluce 2015] Kaneka Exhibits OLED Lighting Panel with 50 Thousand Hours of Lifetime

Marketing activities in Europe by Kaneka, one of Japan’s key OLED lighting panel companies, is attracting attention. Kaneka, the only company with active European marketing out of many OLED lighting companies in Japan, participated in Euroluce, a biennial event, in 2013 as well as 2015. Unlike most of Japanese OLED lighting companies whose promotion activities are focused on their domestic market, Kaneka is enthusiastic regarding lighting exhibition in Europe. This is analyzed to be because Kaneka is aiming for market expansion into Europe and North America, as well as Japan’s domestic market.

 

Kaneka explained that, “OLED lighting is suitable for European customers who consider design and diversity to be important as they have good energy efficiency, thin surface light source, soft light, and ability to produce various colors”, and revealed “increasing European consumers’ awareness of OLED lighting is the priority assignment and the main reason for this exhibition”.

 

In Euroluce 2015, Kaneka exhibited OLED lighting panel with 50 thousand hours of lifetime with 1.05mm thickness. They presented 5 colors of white, red, amber, blue, and green with 3 different panel sizes of 80x80mm, 100x100mm, and 143x23mm.

 

Kaneka possesses a manufacturing line that can produce 20,000 panels per year, and in past have announced their target of approx. 50 billion Yen in revenue by 2020.

 

Kaneka Booth, Euroluce 2015

Kaneka Booth, Euroluce 2015

[Euroluce 2015] Enter OLED Lighting Cheaper Than LED

An area has emerged where OLED lighting can exceed LED’s price competitiveness.

 

In LG Chem’s booth in Euroluce 2015 (April 14-19, 2015), a British company Mackwell’s OLED lighting applied emergency system was exhibited. Mackwell applied LG Chem’s OLED lighting panel to the emergency system used in cases of fire/blackout instead of existing LED lighting reducing the overall system installation cost. Mackwell is known to be preparing for commercialization.

 

LG Chem explained that “construction, excluding lighting, accounts for the 30-50% of total cost for interior lighting. LED lighting requires separate space for installation making construction cost a necessity, but as OLED lighting does not need additional construction this can be reduced. Although OLED lighting’s unit price is higher than LED’s, overall interior cost can be reduced if OLED lighting is used resulting in cheaper price”.

 

Regarding this, one LED expert observed that, “a certain distance is required between the LED lighting source and device, therefore LED installation space is additionally required and increases the cost” and “if the construction cost could be reduced from interior lighting it would be a great advantage”.

 

As shown, areas where merits of OLED lighting are actively used are emerging rapidly such as interior, medical, and vehicular lighting. If the cost competitiveness can be achieved from active investment by OLED lighting companies, not only the OLED lighting exclusive market could be created but existing lighting market could be replaced.

 

Mackwell’s Emergency Luminaire

Mackwell’s Emergency Luminaire

[Euroluce 2015] LG Chem, Business Acceleration through Lighting Solution

In Euroluce 2015 (April 14-19, 2015) being held in Milan, Italy, LG Chem started enthusiastic European lighting market promotion with their largest booth of the exhibitions they have participated so far.

 

By showing the solution for OLED lighting and not an exhibition centering on existing panel and luminaire, LG Chem began active customer creation by supplying OLED panel, module and OLED lighting solution.

 

LG Chem revealed that “the supply is possible to B2C market through solution regarding OLED lighting, and not just to B2B market”, and that they will “strive to obtain more customers through providing various solutions”. Additionally, they emphasized the importance in new application and widening the scope as well as appealing lighting’s merits; “as most of the attendees are attracted toward the main exhibition, ‘Salone del Mobile Milano’ (Milan Furniture Fair), they showed much interest in transparent connection and rail connection that can diversely be applied to furniture and building”.

 

Examples of LG Chem’s Transparent Connection and Rail Connection Application

Examples of LG Chem’s Transparent Connection and Rail Connection Application

 

Furthermore, LG Chem exhibited LG panel applied products by partner companies such as Acuity, and Mackwell and introduced diverse areas where OLED lighting can be used.

 

In order to proceed with active OLED lighting investment, LG Chem is unfolding dynamic marketing to draw in customers. From February this year, LG Chem began selling DIY KIT OLED lighting module through Korean open market, and opened their first booth in Japan in Lighting Fair Japan 2015 which was held in March. In June, LG Chem is planning to open an OLED lighting exclusive exhibition in Nonhyeon-dong in Gangnam (Seoul, Korea) and intensify marketing.

 

LG Chem Booth, Euroluce 2015

LG Chem Booth, Euroluce 2015

LG Chem, DIY KIT Released for Average Consumers to Experience OLED Lighting

In February 2015 LG Chem released OLED DIY Kit in Korea so that average consumers can directly experience the high quality of OLED light, closest to the natural light.

OLED is a light-emitting diode formed with organic semiconductors that emit light with its characteristic color. OLED is currently being used for TV and lighting, and receiving attention as the next generation diode. Particularly, spectrum distribution of OLED lighting is closest to the sunlight and produces a sense of stability of being under the natural light. Additionally, with its high color rendering index, colors can be accurately reproduced. Unlike the existing light sources, OLED is not hot to touch, and does not hurt eyes when looked directly. With no UV rays, it is a human-friendly light. It also produces almost no blue light compared to other sources and as such it is effective in eyesight protection. It is thin, light, flexible, and has potential for infinite designs.

In order for the average consumers to experience the OLED lighting with these advantages, LG Chem prepared the OLED DIY Kit with simplest possible components and connection method. Single Kit contains one LG Chem’s 100x100mm OLED module, Double Kit contains two modules for wider choice, and DIY Kit includes an OLED panel (a bulb equivalent), switch, and wiring set linked to connectors. It has an accessible and simple structure so that the light comes on just by linking the connectors two or three times, and connecting a micro 5-pin adaptor (compatible with normal Android mobile phone charger). The panel thickness of LG Chem’s 100x100mm module is only 0.88mm so that even with the neat aluminum case the thickness is 2.2mm. If the module and switch are attached by using wood, paper, or wire, or by reforming existing products, lighting of desired shape is complete.

To showcase environmentally friendly nature of OLED lighting, LG Chem minimized using extravagant packaging material and exuberant colors, and produced a simple cardboard box. It is an ultra-energy conserving light of high energy efficiency with less than 2.5W required for Single Kit, and less than 5W for Double Kit.

Of the OLED lighting industry, LG Chem is producing the world’s best performing OLED lighting panels with largest size and best lifetime surpassing other companies such as Philips and Osram. Due to their own key material production and advanced process technology, LG Chem also has an edge in price. In order to accommodate consumers’ requests, a testing team made up with staff of LG affiliated companies was formed and generated various DIY production ideas. The final DIY Kit was produced with improvements suggested by the testing team.

In Korea, OLED DIY KIT is currently being sold on internet shopping sites such as G Market and 11St. LG Chem is planning to release the product in Japan and China from April, and rest of the world, including Europe and USA, from May.

Example of LG Chem.'s OLED DIY KIT Use, Source : LG Chem.

Example of LG Chem.’s OLED DIY KIT Use, Source : LG Chem.

<Example of LG Chem.’s OLED DIY KIT Use, Source : LG Chem.>

LG Chem.'s DIY Kit Components and Connection Method, Source : LG Chem.

LG Chem.’s DIY Kit Components and Connection Method, Source : LG Chem.

<LG Chem.’s DIY Kit Components and Connection Method, Source : LG Chem.>

 

[Lighting Fair Japan 2015] LG Chem, 100lm/W OLED Lighting Panel Mass Production Possible in April 2015

LG Chem estimates mass production of highly efficient 100lm/W OLED lighting panel in April this year. In Lighting Fair Japan 2015 (March 3 – 6) LG Chem announced that they have achieved 2014 target of 100lm/W development, and that mass production will be possible from April 2015. Additionally, they presented the 140ml/W roadmap until 2017, and LG Chem is forecast to keep on leading the OLED lighting market.

Until now OLED lighting had lower efficiency compared to the existing fluorescent light (approx. 100lm/W) and LED (approx. 100lm/W or higher), and was mostly used as luminaire rather than down light. However, if active mass production of 100lm/W products begins, utilization as down light will also be possible.

In this exhibition, LG Chem showcased solution concept of down light, and not a luminaire focused exhibition. They also demonstrated OLED lighting’s competitiveness as down light by securing lifetime of 40 thousand hours. This is approximately twice as long as fluorescent light and rivals LED. The biggest issue for OLED lighting is the cost. If the price becomes competitive through active investment, it is analyzed that the OLED lighting market will grow rapidly.

According to UBI Research’s OLED Lighting Annual Report 2014, OLED lighting market is forecast to grow by 100% of compound annual growth rate and form US$ 4,700 million market in 2020.

150309_ [Lighting Fair Japan 2015]LG Chem., 2015년 4월 100lmW의 OLED lighting panel 양산 가능3<LG Chem’s R&D Roadmap, Source : LG chem>

150309_ [Lighting Fair Japan 2015]LG Chem., 2015년 4월 100lmW의 OLED lighting panel 양산 가능2<Front View of LG Chem Booth, Lighting Fair Japan 2015>

By HyunJun Jang, reporter@olednet.co.kr

[Lighting Fair Japan 2015] LG Chem. Begins Intense OLED lighting Marketing in Korea and Japan, Following Europe

In order to actively open LG Chem’s OLED lighting market, they began intense marketing in Korea and Japan, following Europe. Formerly, OLED lighting marketing took place centering on Europe’s high-end luminaire market. However, LG Chem opened their first booth in Japan in Lighting Fair Japan 2015, and showed how easily OLED lighting can be applied in everyday life by exhibiting solution for down light rather than focusing on luminaire. LG Chem revealed their anticipation for Japan’s OLED lighting market’s growth explaining, “Japan’s conversion rate to area lighting is increasing rapidly and it is estimated the demand for OLED lighting will increase.”

150306_[Lighting Fair Japan 2015]LG Chem., 유럽에 이어 한국과 일본에 본격적인 OLED lighting 마케팅 시작<Front View of LG Chem Booth, Lighting Fair Japan 2015>

LG Chem also began their marketing in Korea for the public. Average consumers were able to come in contact with OLED lighting easily as OLED lighting DIY Kit and table lamp “FRAME” appeared on the open market. Particularly, OLED lighting DIY Kit provided 100x100mm OLED lighting panel, wire, and switch that can control the light (30/60/100lm), and allowed the public to apply the kit for various uses. Currently OLD lighting DIY Kit is being sold for approx. US$ 86, and OLED table lamp “FRAME” for approx. US$ 254. However, when LG Chem’s active investment and mass production begin, the price is expected to fall further.

 LG Chem’s OLED table lamp “FRAME” and OLED DIY KIT Being Sold in Korea’s Open Market

LG Chem’s OLED table lamp “FRAME” and OLED DIY KIT Being Sold in Korea’s Open Market

 <LG Chem’s OLED table lamp “FRAME” and OLED DIY KIT Being Sold in Korea’s Open Market>

Example of OLED DIY KIT Use, Lighting Fair 2015

Example of OLED DIY KIT Use, Lighting Fair 2015

<Example of OLED DIY KIT Use, Lighting Fair 2015>

By HyunJun Jang, reporter@olednet.co.kr

LG Chem. announces new OLED lighting product milestones

LG Chem announced today that it achieved two important milestones in the development of OLED lighting products with the start of manufacturing of the 320 x 320 mm OLED light panel, the world’s largest available in the market, and the completion of the research and development phase for a new plastic-based OLED light panel.

The 320x320mm OLED light panel is 0.88mm thick panel and has an efficiency of 60lm/W, CRI over 90, and has output levels of 800lm with a nominal input (8.5V 1,600mA). The panel’s output can reach 1,200lm which is similar to a common 60-75 Watt incandescent lamp. This is significant because it marks first time that OLEDs can be considered as an energy-efficient / human-friendly light source available for general purpose use.

With LG Chem having begun mass producing the 320x320mm panels in January, the panels can be ordered at $680USD per panel, with a lower negotiated price for bulk orders.

150128_LG 화학, 새로운 OLED 조명 제품 목표 발표1

 

LG Chem has also completed development of a truly flexible plastic-based OLED light panel and engineering samples are now available. LG Chem’s current bendable OLED panels (F6BA40, F6BA30) are thin-glass based that provides a limited bending radius of 75mm. The new flexible OLED panel has vastly increased the bending radius flexibility to 30mm because of the adoption of a plastic substrate for the panel, which also eliminates the danger of the panel shattering when excessive force is applied.

The main challenge of converting from a glass substrate to plastic was to maintain the performance levels of efficiency, luminance, and CRI. LG Chem has overcome this challenge by adopting its expertise in barrier and encapsulation technology.

The specifications of the LG Chem’s new plastic-based OLED light panel are 60lm/W efficiency, 75lm brightness, 3,000K in color temperature, and CRI over 85. Engineering samples are available at $250USD per panel. The mass production of the flexible panel is scheduled to begin in July 2015. The price will be adjusted accordingly once mass production starts.

150128_LG 화학, 새로운 OLED 조명 제품 목표 발표2150128_LG 화학, 새로운 OLED 조명 제품 목표 발표3

Medical Lighting, will it make a breakthrough for the OLED lighting market?

The sizable growth for OLED lighting is expected in the medical lighting market.

At Lighting Japan 2015, Synqroa Corp. introduced Lucuria, the OLED lamp used for dental practice equipment, under the presentation title “Dental-free shadow lamps development and marketing by OLED lighting source”.

The presenter Mitsuhiro Koyama, Vice President Synqroa Corp., said that “OLED lighting is more appropriate than LED or halogen lamp for the medical purposes thanks to its properties including shadow-less, good color rendering and color temperature, and no blue risk. He also speculated “The competent lighting in the medical lighting industry is more about providing the optimal environment for doctors and patients than the price competitiveness.”

Synqroa estimated that the potential for the OLED lighting panel is about six million units with expected annual demand of about 350 thousand units for maintenance assuming that each hospital will use three units (five OLED panels per unit) in about 400 thousand dentists in the world as of 2013. In addition, they also analyzed the OLED lighting panel will take about 12 million units (25% of entire demand) among the demands for the lighting panels applied in operating rooms, patient’s rooms, NICU, etc.

Likewise, the expansion of OLED lighting market is expected to gain momentum if the OLED lighting panel is employed more actively in the medical lighting market equipped with merits of improving health care environments and protecting doctors’ and patients’ eyes.

150120_의료용 조명, OLED lighting 시장의 돌파구 되나1

 

<Comparison of properties for each lighting, Source: Synqroa>

Description: Compared to the LED lighting, the OLED lighting barely emits the ultraviolet rays or blue lights which are harmful to the eyes but enables visibility closest to the natural sunlight free of shadow.

150120_의료용 조명, OLED lighting 시장의 돌파구 되나2

<Synqroa’s OLED lamp for Dental Equipment, Source: Synqroa>