On July 6, Zhao Jun, Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL Huaxing, announced at the 2023 TCL Global Ecological Partner Conference (GPC) that TCL Huaxing is set to accelerate its efforts in developing Micro LED and Printed OLED technologies. The company plans to begin small batch production of printed OLEDs next year while advancing its commercial strategy for Micro LED technology. With Mini LED backlight technology already industrialized, the focus is now on overcoming technical challenges related to Micro LED chip structures, laser transfer processes, and expanding their commercial footprint.
Key Display Technology Innovations
TCL Huaxing is prioritizing advancements in two major display technologies: IJP OLED (printed OLED) and MLED (Mini LED and Micro LED). These technologies are expected to create substantial opportunities in future applications such as high-end TVs, in-vehicle displays, wearable devices, and metaverse applications.
Micro LED and Mini LED Technology
Evolving Micro LED Technology
According to Zhao Jun, Micro LED technology is advancing and gradually maturing, especially in niche areas such as in-vehicle displays and wearables, which offer rapid commercialization potential. However, large-scale industrial application of MLED technology will require more time. To foster the industrialization of MLED, TCL Huaxing has transformed its Wuhan LTPS factory into a key production base for Mini LED and Micro LED backplane drivers. The company is also collaborating extensively with partners across the supply chain in areas like LED chips, “mass transfer” equipment, and testing technologies.
Expanding Market for Mini LED Backlight Products
For the relatively mature Mini LED backlight technology, TCL Huaxing has completed technological development and achieved industrialization in several niches. The company has begun shipping products to clients, including Mini LED gaming monitors and medical display devices. Moving forward, TCL Huaxing will continue to tackle four primary technical challenges to advance the commercialization of backlight and direct display technologies in various applications, supporting digital industries in new application scenarios.
Advancements in In-Vehicle Displays
In-Vehicle Display Innovations
In the in-vehicle display sector, TCL Huaxing is focusing on developing larger sizes, higher resolutions, display-touch integration, curved screens, and Mini LED technologies. The company’s in-vehicle business has grown rapidly, supported by the Wuhan LTPS industrial base, which serves as a primary production site for Mini/Micro LED backplane drivers.
The Future of Printed OLEDs
Printed OLED Production Set for 2024
Printed OLED technology offers several advantages, including better material utilization and stronger competitiveness compared to vapor deposition processes. With lower operating costs and reduced investment requirements, TCL Huaxing sees significant potential in this area. Zhao Jun emphasized that printed OLED technology has reached maturity, and the company is now focused on balancing performance, specifications, and costs for large-size displays like TVs. TCL Huaxing plans to start small batch production of printed OLEDs in 2024, aiming to surpass the latest technologies from Japan and South Korea.
Market Recovery and Growth Prospects
Zhao Jun highlighted that in the latter half of this year, the panel market shows signs of a “slow recovery,” with growth opportunities in in-vehicle displays and folding screens. TCL Huaxing will play a leadership role in the supply chain by anchoring product demand and driving industry-wide technical breakthroughs, anticipating continuous performance improvement.
Competitive Landscape in the Global Display Industry
The global semiconductor display market is transitioning from the “Japan-Korea dispute” to a “China-Korea duel.” According to public data, China’s display industry surpassed South Korea’s in revenue in 2021 and is expected to maintain a leading global revenue share of 42% in 2023. Chinese companies are accelerating capacity growth in OLED, which is considered a high-end display technology, with a projected global share of 47% in 2023.
TCL Huaxing’s Counter-Cyclical Growth
TCL Huaxing has experienced notable growth despite market challenges, with a revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% from 2012 to 2022. As of 2022, the company’s global LCD panel capacity ranking is among the top two worldwide.
Collaborative Efforts and Industry Partnerships
Collaboration Across the Supply Chain
TCL Huaxing has invested over $480 million (approximately 3.5 billion yuan) in its Sunrise project, covering critical technology areas such as materials, equipment, and display devices. The company collaborates with supply chain partners, universities, research institutions, and innovation platforms, involving more than 1,000 partners across over 50 niche application scenarios.
Upcoming Industry Forum
On July 19-20, the “2023 Mini/Micro LED Chip and Packaging Test Solution Forum” will be held in Shanghai, where Zhou Mingzhong, Deputy General Manager of TCL Huaxing’s Optoelectronic Product R&D Center, will share insights on the development trends of Mini/Micro LED technology from an application perspective.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MiniMicroLED Insights . While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, the content on this website may include translations, re-edited versions of second-hand information, or information derived from unverifiable sources. MiniMicroLED Insights makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of such content. The information in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, MiniMicroLED Insights disclaims all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of your use of, or reliance on, the information contained in this article.
Copyright Notice: This article may include translated and re-edited content derived from various online sources, including websites and social media platforms. While we strive to credit the original authors and sources to the best of our ability, we may not always be able to verify the original source of the content. All rights to the original content remain with the original author or source publication. Where applicable, this content is reproduced for educational and informational purposes under the fair use doctrine. If you believe any content on this site infringes upon your intellectual property rights, or if you are the copyright owner and believe we have not credited you correctly, please contact us at minimicroled.business@gmail.com. We will investigate and take corrective action, including removing or properly crediting the content if necessary.
Content sourced and adapted by MiniMicroLED Insights (Doris).