Korean display kit makers skeptical of HKC’s OLED plan
Majority view it as listing tactic
Those in the South Korean display equipment industry told TheElec that they are skeptical of Chinese display panel maker HKC’s plan to invest in OLED display panels.
Senior executives of HKC has been paying visits to South Korea for months recently and offering to order equipment to domestic equipment companies, sources said.
HKC has mentioned investing in Gen 6 and Gen 8 OLED investment to these potential partners, the sources said.
The Chinese display panel maker currently doesn’t manufacture OLED panels.
However, those working at the South Korean display equipment maker say they are not convinced by HKC’s commitment to invest in OLED production and believe it to be a card they want to use before they list on the Chinese bourse.
Some of the sources said HKC’s OLED team was disbanded during the pandemic and they have not seen signs that the company is planning to reorganize a similar team.
HKC has also announced that it plans to collaborate with Japan Display INC in eLEAP technology and start production in 2025.
But sources said the technology has not been verified for production.
The technology gained attention for claims by JDI that it doesn’t require fine metal masks to produce OLED panels.
However, all OLED display panels currently produced use FMM, so the technology requires much testing.
Meanwhile, sources said HKC also doesn’t have the technology for oxide thin-film transistors (TFT), a must to manufacture large OLED panels.
HKC is also in contact with ex-Samsung Display and LG Display executives to hire them, the sources added.