[Exclusive] Korea's First International R&D Initiative for Core Materials of 'Foldable OLED'

Display Materials Subcommittee Makes 'Determined Proposal' to International R&D Government for the First Time in 32 Years
Promoting Collaboration with US Kativa and German Fraunhofer on High-Value Foldable OLED Materials
Regular Policy Meetings Planned... "Government to Facilitate Corporate Contracts Like in Semiconductors"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Display Materials Subcommittee, consisting of 18 major domestic display material companies, and the Korea Display Industry Association are set to launch international research and development (R&D) on core materials such as foldable OLED (organic light-emitting diode) for the first time in 32 years since the committee's inception.

They plan to focus R&D on next-generation OLED core materials such as inkjet (OCR) and ultra-thin encapsulation (encap) materials, and have formally requested support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. They intend to strengthen supply chain risk management by collaborating with 13 international institutions, including the U.S. inkjet printing equipment company Kateeva and the German Fraunhofer adhesive and surface treatment research institute.

According to the industry on the 25th, the Materials Subcommittee held the "2022 Materials Subcommittee Luncheon Meeting" on the 23rd at the Courtyard Marriott Seoul Pangyo in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and decided to pursue international R&D with 13 institutions including Kateeva and Fraunhofer starting next year. This is the first time in 32 years since the subcommittee was established alongside the predecessor organization, the Korea Display Research Association, that the display materials industry has specifically identified the 'institutions' for international cooperation and the 'materials' to collaborate on to the government in order to protect the supply chain.

A senior official of the committee explained, "Due to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war and deteriorating relations between the U.S. and China, uncertainty in the supply chain of the display materials industry has increased, and there was a consensus that risk management is difficult without 'international cooperation.' This topic was intensively discussed at the meeting."

At the meeting, the committee shared the results of a 'preliminary survey on international cooperation' and discussed detailed plans for international R&D collaboration. Intense discussions were held on securing OLED materials, which are core among the display 'national advanced strategic technologies' designated by the government on the 4th. Among these, there was a consensus that R&D collaboration with Kateeva on inkjet (OCR) and with Fraunhofer on OLED ultra-thin encapsulation materials must be pursued. Inkjet is a post-processing material for OLED, used in foldable OLEDs by Samsung Display. OLED ultra-thin encapsulation materials are highly versatile materials used in various foldable glass cells.

In particular, the committee concluded that securing advanced technology through international R&D is essential for encapsulation materials, which are vulnerable to oxygen and moisture. A senior committee official said, "Regarding international R&D, the association and the subcommittee plan to formally propose this to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Materials Convergence Industry Policy Division, and the relevant department is fully aware of this. The government, association, and committee have already secured contacts with Kateeva and Fraunhofer."

In addition to practical measures for international cooperation, the committee plans to ▲ have the association publish and distribute four annual issues of English and Japanese translations of issue reports such as those from Omdia and Fuji Camera Research to 18 member companies ▲ regularize biannual policy meetings at the director-general level with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Materials Convergence Industry Policy Division ▲ operate a delegation to attend six exhibitions including the world's largest academic conference SID (Society for Information Display) 'SID Display Week' in May next year, recommending participation by all 18 member companies ▲ and propose investment, R&D, marketing, and other issues to the government and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The committee agreed that among the issues to be proposed to the government, easing chemical regulations in the 'investment' sector and workforce development in the 'other' sector are the most urgent. Various ideas were shared, including requesting the government to facilitate contract departments between mid-sized companies and universities. An industry insider said, "Top-level engineering talent is limited, and other advanced industries such as semiconductors and secondary batteries are also competing to nurture them. Although the government designated display as a national advanced strategic technology and plans to pilot specialized graduate schools by 2024, it is judged insufficient to secure high-level talent. Therefore, there was an opinion that cooperation should be sought to allow at least mid-sized companies to operate contract departments at universities."