August 14, 2008--Imaging giant Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. (Tokyo) and display and lighting developer Universal Display Corporation
(Ewing, NJ) have announced the signing of an agreeement to integrate Universal Display's proprietary organic-light-emitting-diode (OLED) technologies into Konica Minolta's white OLED lighting products, thus securing Konica Minolta in its goal to accelerate commercialization and to strengthen the competitiveness of its white OLEDs.
White OLEDs offer a set of new performance features not possible from conventional incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps. Through the use of UniversalPHOLED phosphorescent OLED technology, white OLEDs should reduce energy consumption and lower the amount of by-product heat, further reducing energy and environmental burdens. White OLEDs are also environmentally benign, especially compared to mercury-containing fluorescent lamps and newer compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Combining these important "green" features with a very thin, lightweight, and durable form factor, white OLEDs offer significant new lighting design opportunities.
"We have been collaborating successfully with Universal Display in the OLED development for several years, and we are very much pleased that we have entered into the OLED Technology license agreement with Universal Display today," stated Masatoshi Matsuzaki, chief technology officer of Konica Minolta Holdings. "By incorporating the phosphorescent OLED technology of Universal Display with our own technologies, such as our blue phosphorescent material technology, multi-layer design technology, optical design technology, and coating technology, we will further accelerate development and commercialization of OLED lighting."
"As one of the world's leading innovators in the imaging arena, Konica Minolta is a pioneer in the emerging white OLED lighting industry and has been an excellent partner since we started working together over three years ago," said Steven V. Abramson, president and chief executive officer of Universal Display. "We are very excited to enter into the next phase of our relationship with Konica Minolta, as they move forward into manufacturing using our proprietary OLED technologies. This licensing agreement is an important milestone for Universal Display, Konica Minolta, and the entire OLED industry. We look forward to continuing to support Konica Minolta with state-of-the-art technologies and materials as they introduce energy-efficient and environmentally 'green' white OLED products into the marketplace."
Konica Minolta's business spans a wide range of imaging fields from input to output. Konica Minolta is aggressively developing cutting-edge materials and components, including those for white OLED lighting applications. In March 2007, Konica Minolta formed a strategic alliance with General Electric Company to accelerate development and commercialization of OLED lighting. Licensing of phosphorescent OLED technology from Universal Display this time would further ensure introduction of such products as scheduled in 2010.
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