Merck believes ‘printable’ big OLEDs not far off

Merck, a German-based chemical and pharmaceutical company, believes printable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays could be manufactured commercially within three years, allowing mass production of large displays.

“You have to ask Samsung or LG for the exact date, but what I can tell you is that we have material available that serves that purpose,” said Walter Galinat, president of performance materials for Merck, who visited Korea for the “Displaying Futures” symposium yesterday in Seoul. ”We have manufactured displays in printing, and they worked very well.”

In the production of printable OLED screens, advanced ink jet technology is used to apply a thin layer of organic material that produces its own light when an electric current is applied. The ink jet process is expected to allow large OLED screens to be manufactured at lower prices.

Merck, which started business in Korea in1989, has invested heavily in the Korean market, saying the country “has become a strategic place for us.” The company in 2008 invested 11 million euros ($14.9 million) in a new Advanced Technology Center in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, to boost R&D for displays.

Merck is the top player in liquid crystal materials with a market share of 60 percent.

According to its data, the production volume of LCDs is expected to increase to 279 square kilometers (107.7 square miles) in 2020 from the current 160 square kilometers. Display thickness also has progressed from 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) in 2005 to 0.8 centimeters.

BY JOO KYUNG-DON [kjoo@joongang.co.kr]