DNP to Invest Six Billion Yen in Evaporation Mask Plant Targeting Organic EL Panels

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) will engage in ongoing plant investment,amounting to six billion yen by 2020, to add an evaporation mask (metal mask)production line used in the manufacture of organic EL displays at the MiharaPlant in Hiroshima. This move will expand production capacity by three timespresent levels, and is designed to respond to growing markets. In addition toboosting production capacity, the Company is also looking to respond to theshift towards higher definition displays, and will leverage the overwhelmingglobal share that it enjoys in metal masks targeting smartphones to furtherexpand production.

[Background]

Organic EL displays are based on a structure, whereby, the organic molecularlayer that emits light is sandwiched between electrodes. This helps limit thenumber of parts, allowing for the creation of a low profile. And, as the displayis also resilient in the face of bending or rolling, it has made organic ELthe focus of next-generation displays. These displays also exhibit superiorcontrast features, and in recent years have been increasingly adopted in a varietyof uses, beginning with televisions and smartphones. On the back of this development,the market for organic EL panels is expected to expand by approximately threetimes by 2020, compared to 2015 levels, to 682 million panels per annum, accordingto figures from HIS Technology.

Organic EL displays project bright full-color images by passing electricitythrough the organic materials that form the three primary light colors - Red,Green and Blue (RGB) and thus causing them to emit light. The most widely usedmethod for attaching the organic materials to glass and/or plastic substrates,is to use a metal mask, which is a thin metallic plate with micro through-holesprecisely positioned on its surface. Then the organic materials are evaporatedand sprayed through the micro holes using equipment maintained in a vacuum state.

DNP developed metal masks in 2001, capitalizing on original photolithographyand etching technologies, and currently maintains a high market share for productstargeting smartphones. Looking ahead, organic EL panel makers are aggressivelyincreasing plant investment in line with sharply growing markets. And in orderto respond to this demand, DNP will also engage in ongoing plant investment,amounting to six billion yen by 2020, expanding production capacity by three timespresent levels.

[Evaporation Mask (Metal Mask) Features]  

• Metal masks are metallic parts containing micro holes used when attachingthe RGB organic EL light emitting materials to the substrate. In line withthe shift to higher definition and large screen displays, the precise attachmentof the RGB organic materials is important in order to project bright images.Mask-based evaporation processes are also considered to be a difficult partof the organic EL panel production process, requiring high level precision.DNP-brand metal masks have developed a high reputation in the market forhigh quality and high precision.
• DNP brand metal masks capitalize on DNP's original photolithographyand etching technologies, and are capable of responding to high resolutiondefinitions, in excess of 500ppi¹, equivalent to Wide Quad High Definition(WQHD)².
• DNP maintains numerous patents and a broad-based know-how related tometal mask materials, manufacturing methods and products, along with stablesupply and superior development capabilities.

[Looking Ahead]

In addition to engaging in the stable supply of high precision metal masksto organic EL panel makers, DNP will also forge ahead with the development ofproducts compatible with high resolution definitions, in excess of 1000ppi.And by maintaining appropriate production capacity in line with market expansion,and supplying products in a stable manner, the Company aims for sales of 30billion yen in 2020.

1:  ppi: Pixel per inch

2: WQHD: A 2560 X 1140 pixel resolution.

* Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this newsrelease are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at anytime without notice.