AMOLEDs sparkled in '08

While mature segments of the display and electronic industries have experienced declines due to the economic downturn, active matrix OLEDs (AMOLEDs) have emerged as a diamond in the rough, experiencing an impressive 110 percent revenue increase in 2008. DisplaySearch shared these findings recently via Webinar. The company also reported that OLED display revenues will exceed $6 billion in 2015, up from $591 million in 2008.

"AMOLED is making up for the slowdown in PMOLED [passive matrix OLED] over the past year," noted Jennifer Colegrove, DisplaySearch's director of display technologies. "Going forward, it will be important for OLEDs to find a niche market where it will be difficult for LCDs for compete, such as flexible or transparent displays, or lighting. OLED developers should also look for opportunities to combine their technology with other hot technologies, such as touchscreens."

OLED displays accounted for less than 1 percent of total flat panel display (FPD) revenue in 2008. DisplaySearch forecasts it will reach 5 percent in 2015, experiencing a 40 percent CAGR in revenues, compared with the 3 percent CAGR predicted for the total FPD market.

OLED display forecast 2006-2015

Additional highlights from the Webinar include:

??AMOLED revenues are forecast to surpass PMOLED in 2H 09. To succeed, AMOLED manufacturers need to secure large, stable customers, and must reduce cost by increasing yields (especially the TFT backplane) and reducing TAC time.
??PMOLED revenues peaked at $450 million in 2006, fell to $390 million in 2007 and fell again to an estimated $370 million in 2008. Diversified products and customers are the key to maintaining shipments.
??OLED lighting has many advantages such as its high energy efficiency; is thin and lightweight; and has area surface lighting in flexible or rigid form factors. However, it still has many hurdles to overcome including high manufacturing costs, ability to mass produce and maintaining energy efficiency and uniformity as the size increases.
??OLED lighting revenue will surpass PMOLED in 2014.