Here's an ambitious JV announcement from an old timer; interested in opinions about likelihood of displacing LCD's for small screens.
Kodak, SANYO Form Joint Venture to Manufacture OLED Displays
JV Will Capitalize on Demand for Superior Displays by Combining Kodak Technology and Intellectual Property with Sanyo Manufacturing Capabilities
ROCHESTER, N.Y., and GIFU, JAPAN, December 4 -- Eastman Kodak Company and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. announced the formation of a global joint venture, the SK Display Corporation, to manufacture organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays for consumer devices such as cameras, PDAs, and portable entertainment machines.
Today's announcement represents the next step in the companies' joint development of OLED technology: the manufacture and sale of active-matrix OLED displays. Beginning with a pilot facility in early 2002 and graduating to a full production facility in early 2003, the SK Display Corporation will offer the world's first full-scale manufacturing facility dedicated to full-color, active-matrix OLED displays.
The market for OLED displays, a key product line within Kodak's newly formed Components Group, is expected to range from $900 million to $3.6 billion by 2005, according to Stanford Resources and DisplaySearch. Demand for these displays is being driven by the growing consumer interest in hand-held electronics and the superior performance of OLED over the liquid crystal technology now in widespread use. OLEDs are brighter, thinner and more colorful than LCDs, provide an unlimited viewing angle and consume less power.
"This joint venture with Sanyo is a classic example of how Kodak will leverage its intellectual property to establish high-growth markets that represent significant new business opportunities for the company," said Daniel A. Carp, Kodak's chairman and chief executive officer. "By bringing to consumers the best display technology available, we expect to generate $500 million in OLED display sales by 2005." <snip>
kodak.com |
