AMOLED revenues on the rise

25 Feb 2009

Wider use of active matrix OLEDs balanced the decline of their passive matrix cousins in 2008.

While mature segments of the display and electronic industries have experienced declines due to the economic downturn, active matrix organic light-emitting diodes (AMOLEDs) experienced an impressive 110% revenue increase in 2008.

Figures from DisplaySearch indicate that revenues from passive matrix OLED (PMOLED) revenues peaked at $450 million in 2006, fell to $390 million in 2007 and fell again to an estimated $370 million in 2008.

AMOLED revenues are now forecast to surpass PMOLED in the second half of 2009. In order to succeed, AMOLED manufacturers need to secure large, stable customers, and must reduce cost by increasing yields, according to DisplaySearch.

"AMOLED is making up for the slowdown in PMOLED over the past year," noted Jennifer Colegrove, DisplaySearch's Director of Display Technologies. "Going forward, it will be important for OLEDs to find a niche market where it will be difficult for LCDs for compete, such as flexible or transparent displays, or lighting. OLED developers should also look for opportunities to combine their technology with other hot technologies, such as touch screens."

DisplaySearch forecasts that OLEDs will achieve 5% penetration of the displays market in 2015, producing revenues in excess of $6 billion.

OLED lighting applications are expected to grow strongly, as applications exploit the potential for energy efficient and lightweight units. Revenues from OLED lighting are set to surpass those from PMOLED displays in 2014.

However, hurdles to wider use of OLED lighting still remain, including high manufacturing costs, suitability for mass production, and maintaining the energy efficiency and uniformity at larger sizes, according to DisplaySearch.