When will OLED lighting be popularized?

Can organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology become the mainstream in the field of lighting? It would be possible only if the price barriers can be overcome. 

"There is room for OLED technology achievements in display sector development based on large investments to be utilized in lighting," he said.

Director Ju said, "The market share is not very meaningful because most of the products have not become widespread yet, and they are produced by order. There is still a theoretical basis for overcoming the efficiency and longevity of LEDs, which is only half of that of LED.” He added, "The quality of light, eco-friendliness, and design are its strengths." Currently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are the fastest growing technology in the lighting market.

OLED lighting can produce a color temperature similar to that of human-friendly outdoor sunlight. There is no need for parts such as radiating plates since the amount of heat produced is low. It also has the advantage of being able to emit surface light over a curved surface. However, it has not exceeded the price barrier for popularization. "The OLED price barriers are very high," Director Ju said, and added, "The large-area, printing, and roll-to-roll processes are essential to lower prices." Printing and roll-to-roll processes have yet to be mass-produced in the display field.

Among domestic display makers, LG Display is in the OLED lighting business.

LG Display began mass production at the end of 2017 at the 5th generation (1100mm × 1250mm) OLED lighting production line built at Gumi P5 factory in Gyeongbuk. Monthly production capacity is 15,000 sheets based on substrate input. It has been only two years since LG Display brought in the OLED lighting business at 160 billion won in 2015, including the second-generation (370mm × 470mm) production line of LG Chem.
LG Display reported on the mass production at that time, saying, "The production capacity has increased more than 30 times due to large-area production."