Konica Minolta to Construct an Innovative Pilot OLED Illumination Manufacturing Line in Tokyo

Recently, representatives of Konica Minolta informed that the company constructs an innovative pilot OLED illumination manufacturing line within Hino facility in Tokyo. It should be mentioned that OLED lighting isn’t a new field for Konica, as it’s been developing the specified technology since 2006 and has already achieved great results.
Konica tends to establish the production technology for mass production with help if the named pilot line and to sell OLED lighting fixtures.
Pilot line building began in November, 2009 and is to last for about a year, by autumn 2010. Konica invests 3.5 billion yen or around $39 million in total. The manufactured OLED light sources are to be commercialized within the same fiscal year. To achieve this aim, in March 2007, Konica Minolta concluded a strategic alliance agreement with General Electric Company (headquartered in the USA) to speed up development of OLED illumination products.
In June 2006, when alliance didn’t exist, Konica Minolta managed to create a white OLED lighting fixture with the world highest energy efficiency of 64 lumens per watt at 1000 candela per square meter with lifespan of 10 thousand hours without reduction of the light quality. The specified parameter are quite suitable for lighting applications, what open new opportunities for OLEDs.
The pilot line uses an innovative patented with Konica Minolta roll-to-roll coating method, which allows the company to offer a flexible plastic-base OLED illumination. The method makes the main contribution to financial appeal of OLED light sources.
OLED lighting is considered as a very attractive one due to some its’ features like wonderful flexibility, light weight, unbelievable thinness, outstanding power efficiency, low operating temperature, absence of mercury in its’ structure and sheet form. There can be found other advantages, which can be seen with anyone. Such light sources do not emit ultra-violet rays, so their light is mild and friendly to people.
Konica Minolta believes that OLED lighting technology combines two essential for the future features, they are environmentally friendly and require low costs, which are the most desirable options.