South Korea’s LG Display Co. and LG Chem Ltd. have succeeded in domestically producing a crucial material used in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology that has previously relied on imports.

According to the two companies on Monday, they have successfully developed p-dopant, a core OLED material, using their proprietary technology. The material previously has been exclusively sourced from foreign companies.

Dopants are compounds added to the OLED emitting layer to enhance efficiency, color purity, and component lifespan.

Among them, p-dopant plays a pivotal role in improving OLED efficiency and extending component lifespan. It is also known to aid in reducing power consumption, but its susceptibility to rapid degradation in the air has made its development challenging.

Over the course of more than a decade, LG Display and LG Chem jointly researched the localization of p-dopant, resulting in the creation of a material boasting equivalent efficiency and performance to existing imported materials.

LG Display contributed material design proposals and performance verification, while LG Chem handled material synthesis and production, maximizing synergies between the two companies.

With the successful localization of p-dopant, LG Display has secured an independent and stable supply chain, along with proprietary patents, bolstering its ability to lead the global OLED market.

LG Display intends to progressively implement the independently developed p-dopant in both large and small-sized OLED panels in the future.

In cooperation with domestic partner companies, LG Display has been actively promoting the domestication of materials, parts, and equipment. The latest achievement has increased the localization rate of OLED materials to 64 percent this year from 58 percent last year.

“The latest achievement, a result of our technological expertise accumulated over the past decade, presents us with an opportunity to further solidify our position as a technological leader,” said Yoon Soo-young, LG Display’s chief technology officer.

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