Merck bets hopes on OLED TV breakthrough
Continued consumer demand for larger display sizes and new features are expected to increase the total display surface area (km²) by a mid- to high-single digit percentage annually in the coming years. New features such as flexibility and transparency will further drive growth in a global market that, according to expert forecasts, is expected to triple to more than $ 300 billion by 2030.Potential future applications for the LC technology include energy-efficient LC windows that can automatically control sunlight levels in buildings, said Merck Executive Board Member Bernd Reckmann at an investor meeting at the company’s headquarters in Darmstadt
The company’s Liquid Crystals business comprises LCs for displays as well as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials for displays and lighting and phosphors for light-emitting diodes (LED). In the OLED business, Merck aims to apply the same value-adding strategic approach that has proven successful for liquid crystals. To that end, the company plans to expand to become a solutions provider rather than simply a materials supplier for OLEDs. According to market forecasts, OLEDs could amount to around 10%-15% of the total display market by 2019.
“While technology advancements and price levels of today’s liquid crystal displays are likely to ensure its dominant position in the large display market beyond 2020, Merck fortunately also began many years ago to invest in OLED technology,” Merck Chief Financial Officer Matthias Zachert said. “Should OLED displays enter the TV mass market, we are therefore well-positioned to benefit from our strong technology position, providing us an inherent hedge for our liquid crystals business. We therefore expect our display solutions activities to continue being a sustainable long-term value driver for Merck.”
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