Dave Savastano09.26.08
Sumitomo Chemical has announced that it will establish a new Device Development Center (the Center) at its Ehime Works to develop device technologies for highly efficient, high-resolution displays using polymer organic LEDs (PLEDs). The Center will be equipped with facilities for all the processes necessary for device manufacture, including printing, electrode formation, substrate patterning and encapsulation. Using advanced technologies for device manufacture developed by Cambridge Display Technology (CDT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, the Center will work to build the capabilities for commercial manufacture of devices that use PLEDs. The Device Development Center will also enable Sumitomo Chemical to further accelerate cooperative development with its customers.
Having begun development of PLEDs in 1989, Sumitomo Chemical was one of the first companies in the world to develop these materials. In 2001, the Company began a technological partnership with CDT, a pioneer in PLED development.
The two companies launched the joint venture SUMATION in 2005, and then, in 2007, Sumitomo Chemical acquired CDT in its efforts to further accelerate commercialization of PLEDs. Establishing the Device Development Center will bring together CDT’s device manufacturing technologies such as device design, component, and industrial production technologies, SUMATION’s cutting-edge electroluminescence technologies and Sumitomo Chemical’s accumulated engineering and manufacturing expertise in IT-related areas such as color filters. By integrating the technologies of these three companies to the greatest possible
extent, Sumitomo Chemical seeks to establish commercial technologies for the manufacture of PLED devices.
Compared to small molecule LEDs (SMOLEDs) currently in commercial use, PLEDs enable the formation of the luminescent layer using inkjet printing or other solution-based technologies, making possible the manufacture of larger display panels and also offering superior cost-competitiveness. As the market for PLEDs grows, Sumitomo Chemical will further leverage these advantages of PLED materials to develop a robust market for high-resolution, large-size PLED displays, capitalizing on the manufacturing technologies that will be developed by its new Device Development Center.
Having begun development of PLEDs in 1989, Sumitomo Chemical was one of the first companies in the world to develop these materials. In 2001, the Company began a technological partnership with CDT, a pioneer in PLED development.
The two companies launched the joint venture SUMATION in 2005, and then, in 2007, Sumitomo Chemical acquired CDT in its efforts to further accelerate commercialization of PLEDs. Establishing the Device Development Center will bring together CDT’s device manufacturing technologies such as device design, component, and industrial production technologies, SUMATION’s cutting-edge electroluminescence technologies and Sumitomo Chemical’s accumulated engineering and manufacturing expertise in IT-related areas such as color filters. By integrating the technologies of these three companies to the greatest possible
extent, Sumitomo Chemical seeks to establish commercial technologies for the manufacture of PLED devices.
Compared to small molecule LEDs (SMOLEDs) currently in commercial use, PLEDs enable the formation of the luminescent layer using inkjet printing or other solution-based technologies, making possible the manufacture of larger display panels and also offering superior cost-competitiveness. As the market for PLEDs grows, Sumitomo Chemical will further leverage these advantages of PLED materials to develop a robust market for high-resolution, large-size PLED displays, capitalizing on the manufacturing technologies that will be developed by its new Device Development Center.