South Korea’s LG Display Co. will bolster lineup and output in small OLED portfolio for automobile and commercial displays to expand penetration beyond large-screen TVs and dramatically wean off money-losing LCD business.

LG Display aims to push up the annual production of OLED panels for TVs this year to 6 million, nearly doubled from the previous year, with its Guangzhou going fully operational this year, according to industry sources on Thursday. The company hopes to cement its lead in big-sized OLED panels with the expanded output.

In addition to mainstay OLED panel for TVs, the company is pitching for new OLED variants – flexible, transparent, and plastic. The introduction of new OLED types is expected to expand the display’s application in greater segments, such as curved monitors for automobiles and airplanes. The company is also promoting the use of transparent OLED as digital signage in various areas.

The flexible and transparent variants are much more expensive yet to replace liquid crystal displays. The company plans to focus on expanding the use of new OLED panels in wider areas, rather than pushing up the sale volume now. The company also started mass producing transparent OLED panels for industrial use last year.

Investment in plastic OLED is already reaping the fruit. LG Display will supply plastic OLED panel for U.S auto giant Cadillac’s new sport utility vehicle.

The automotive display market has been expanding rapidly with global shipment expected to grow from 172 million units in 2020 to 211 million units in 2024.

By Kim Gyu-sik, Chun Gyung-woon, and Cho Jeehyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]