Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs): Technologies and Global Markets

Additional Information

INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In this study, the goal of BCC Research is to determine the current status of the market for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) for 2010 and determine their growth potential for 2011 and then to 2016. We were primarily interested in the two major markets of electronic displays and solid state lighting. Our most recent look at this industry was in August 2009 and we were interested to see what changes had taken place in this industry.

Our key objective is to present a comprehensive analysis of the current market for organic light emitting diodes and project the industry’s future direction.

REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY

The OLED has been a competitive electronic display technology for many years. Although the liquid crystal display (LCD) has captured the lead in that industry, it is being challenged by the OLED in the handheld environment. We were interested in the potential of the organic display to compete with the LCD and other displays for handheld, monitors and television applications.

We were also interested in the OLED as a solid-state lighting product. We wanted to analyze its structure, differences from the inorganic LED, and determine its future potential in this growing field.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

We have compiled a study of the OLED and its use in the display industry and in solid-state lighting. We present the economic environments for the display and lighting industries, discuss technological issues for both, and present research and development efforts, patent activity, funding issues, applications, market assessment factors and potential. We then determine unit shipments and their value for both OLED technologies from 2010, project them for 2011 and then to 2016. The study will be of interest to display manufacturers, component makers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), lighting manufacturers, construction companies, distributors and system integrators. It will also be of interest to manufacturers of information systems, personal computers, tablet computers, televisions, lighting systems and other consumer electronic products, instrumentation, telecommunications equipment, appliances, transportation equipment and medical devices. It will also interest architects, builders and home designers.

SCOPE OF REPORT

The scope of this study encompasses OLED electronic displays and lighting devices. BCC takes an analytical look at the OLED industry structure for displays and lighting, identifies the major players, and analyzes the competitiveness of both industries. For each technology, we determine its current status, examine the impact of economic and technological conditions, estimate the impact of future markets, and present forecasts for growth from 2010 to 2011 and then over the 5 year period from 2011 to 2016. Technological issues, including the latest trends and activities, are also discussed. Other essential factors such as the global economic environments are also discussed.

BCC Research analyzes the OLED industry on a worldwide basis, both from a manufacturing and consumption point of view. We examine government and industry support for research and development in the major regions of the world. We also analyze market share for unit shipments and their value for each type of display and lighting product.

METHODOLOGY

Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in preparing this study. BCC Research presents an analysis of the units shipped for 2010 and for each major type of OLED display and lighting product. Our estimated value is what manufacturers have paid in nondepreciated U.S. dollars. Based on our surveys, we analyze the potential growth for each major product and then forecast shipments for 2011 and 2016. We also analyze pricing trends and establish shipment values for 2010 and project those for 2011 and 2016.

INFORMATION SOURCES

We interviewed approximately 125 companies to obtain data for this study, Included were manufacturers of OLED displays and components, lighting devices, consumer products, communication systems, instrumentation and transportation equipment We also spoke with OLED users in a variety of industries and compiled data from current financial/trade information, such as trade publications and financial reports and government sources.