Universal Display and PPG to invest €millions into OLED plant in Ireland

02 Aug 2021

The high-tech partnership will develop new facilities in Shannon, providing up to 100 new jobs.

Universal Display Corp. (UDC) and materials, coatings and paint company PPG have announced that UDC’s OLED Material Manufacturing Ltd. (OLED MML) and PPG are embarking on a multi-million-euro capital investment in a new manufacturing site in Shannon, Ireland. The development is expected to create up to 100 high-tech jobs.

The facility, which was first announced in February 2021, will broaden the global footprint and increase the production of Universal Display’s energy-efficient UniversalPHOLED materials to meet the growing organic light emitting diode market demand and evolving industry requirements.

The announcement was welcomed by Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, who said, “This major announcement by OLED MML and PPG is a welcome boost to the Mid-West region.

“It will make a significant contribution to Shannon and the Irish economy in terms of job creation, investment and innovation. Technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors here in Ireland and globally, and I wish the team continued success.”

Austin McCabe, Director, OLED MML, commented, “Our manufacturing expansion in Ireland allows UDC to strengthen its mission, which centers on enabling our customers and fostering the proliferation of energy-efficient OLED display and lighting applications in the consumer landscape.

“Leveraging UDC Ireland’s presence, the site’s infrastructure and the Mid-West region’s top-level talent, we are excited about the new Shannon facility. Together with our long-term partner, PPG, this multi-million-euro investment will expand the global manufacturing footprint for UDC’s proprietary phosphorescent emissive materials to meet the substantial growth forecasted for the OLED market,” said McCabe.

‘Broad spectrum of job opportunities’

Gerry Cahill, PPG Plant Manager, Shannon, commented, “This project will bring a broad spectrum of jobs, a large number of which are highly skilled, to the Mid-West region. PPG has been producing high-performance OLED materials for UDC for the past 20 years.

“The expansion into Ireland with the addition of the Shannon facility shows confidence in not only this partnership but also in Ireland as a place in which to invest and do business. In this regard, we are thankful for the support of the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland, added, “This decision by the partners to invest in Shannon demonstrates the companies’ confidence in the availability of a skilled and talented workforce in the Mid-West Region. This announcement is further evidence of IDA Ireland’s continued commitment to winning jobs and investment for regional locations.”

PPG is the longstanding partner and exclusive manufacturer of UDC’s UniversalPHOLED emitter materials. OLED Material Manufacturing is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UDC Ireland, which is a subsidiary of UDC. Facility renovations and regulatory approvals at the Shannon site are expected to be completed in the next 12 months so that the new operations can commence in 2022.