LG Chem develops OLED lighting panels
OLED lighting using LG Chem-developed OLED panels are seen Thursday. / Courtesy of LG Chem
By Kim Yoo-chul
LG Chem has developed OLED lighting panels which it said will be available at more affordable prices than existing LED lighting.
"LG Chem is the first to develop OLED lighting panels as it hopes to differentiate and stand out in the increasingly cost-sensitive, commoditized and technologically mature inorganic LED market,” said Owen Sung, head of LG Chem's public relations office.
“Our latest product has a longer lifespan and improved energy efficiency."
LG Chem said its OLED lighting panels have a 40,000-hour lifespan with 100 luminous flux in lumens (lm)/ electric power in watts. Existing LED lighting provides 100 lm/W with a 50,000-hour lifespan.
"Luminous efficacy at global OLED lighting companies remains at 60 lm/W. We are positive we will export more of our latest products to major clients," Sung said.
Acuity, the biggest lighting company in the United States, is one business partner the Korean company has been selling its OLED lighting panels to.
The company also developed a module-type OLED lighting engine that has advantages in cost. The module will be available on the market soon.
The outlook for the OLED lighting market looks positive as the technology provides surface emission, flexibility, thinness, warm color distribution and cold emission, the company said.
LG Chem said it is teaming up with major carmakers in Japan and Europe to develop OLED lighting to be used as rear lights for vehicles possibly from 2017.
LG Group’s technology affiliates led by LG Display, LG Chem, LG Innotek and LG Electronics have been partnering to develop customized automotive products such as displays, dashboards and batteries.