18 Nov 2009 - KM News
Developing the Advanced Roll-to-Roll Coating Method
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. (Konica Minolta) has been developing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lighting as one of its promising new businesses in the field of energy and environment. The company today announced a construction of a new roll-to-roll pilot coating line to manufacture OLED lighting within its Hino facility in Tokyo. The pilot line is dedicated to establish production technology toward mass-production and to sell the product on the limited basis. Spending 3.5 billion yen, the line will be completed in the autumn of 2010 and the product will be commercialized within the fiscal year 2010.
In March 2007, Konica Minolta signed a strategic alliance agreement with General Electric Company of the United States to accelerate the development, aiming to commercialize the OLED lighting within the fiscal year 2010. Prior to the alliance, in June 2006, Konica Minolta succeeded in developing a white OLED device with a world record power efficiency of 64 lumens per watt at 1000 candela per square meter, while having practical light emission level of approximately 10,000 hours - a brightness suitable for lighting applications.
Such technologies as material, coating, multi-layer design, and optical design technologies, nurtured through the development of photographic film and optical lens, have been fully adopted in the development of the OLED lighting. For the pilot line, Konica Minolta designed and developed its own roll-to-roll coating method to manufacture flexible plastic-base OLED lighting. This method will serve as the key to accomplishing cost advantage when the OLED lighting flourishes in the future.
OLED lighting is attracting attention as the next generation lighting having such unprecedented features as flexible, thin, light weight, and sheet form. In addition, it features high energy efficiency, relatively low temperature, and ease of recycling since it is mercury-free unlike fluorescent lightings. Furthermore, OLED lighting technology is mild to eyes and friendly to people, since it is free of ultra-violet rays and is sheet form.
Konica Minolta considers OLED lighting as one of the most promising energy and environmental conscious new businesses, where we can take full advantage of our core technologies.
Outline of the Pilot Line
Location |
No.1 Sakura-machi, Hino-shi, Tokyo |
Equipment |
To be installed in the existing building |
Purpose |
Establishment of the production technology and limited sale of the product |
Investment amount |
3.5 billion yen |
Product |
OLED lighting |
Production method |
Roll-to-roll coating method |
Start of construction |
Middle of November, 2009 |
Completion |
Autumn of 2010 (plan) |
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, offers a broad range of multifunctional digital imaging solutions inspired by its bizhub brand of powerful solutions that serve as the central resource for document scanning, in-house printing, copying, faxing and electronic archiving and distribution.
From high-quality colour and monochrome bizhub systems for workgroups and small offices, to advanced high-volume bizhub PRO™ digital presses for on demand printers, central reprographic departments, mail houses and the graphics industry, Konica Minolta is leading the industry toward integrated, networked hardware / software solutions that are more simple, reliable, and cost-effective. Complementing its bizhub solutions, Konica Minolta also offers desktop laser printers and software solutions to improve business processes.
Headquartered in Sydney, Konica Minolta delivers expert professional services and experienced, responsive client support, in addition to the world-class service provided through its extensive network of direct sales offices and authorised dealers.
For more information, please contact Melissa Henningham, Konica Minolta Australia on 02 8026 2127.
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