BOE Expands 8.6G OLED Production: QF Engineers Analyze IT OLED Market Shift

Industry Update by QF Engineers (ckdtv.com)

According to Korean media reports, BOE plans to expand its OLED capacity by ordering two additional 8.6G OLED deposition tools from Sunic System as early as the end of this year.

In May, BOE installed two 8.6G deposition tools at its B16 Chengdu line in Sichuan Province, securing an estimated monthly throughput of 15,000 substrates. The original capacity plan targeted 30,000 substrates per month; the company has now decided to increase investment to keep pace with demand.

Technology Focus: Tandem OLED on 8.6G

The B16 line is noted for its tandem OLED technology, designed to extend panel lifespan by stacking RGB organic materials into dual layers. Sunic System, in collaboration with LG Display—the pioneer of tandem OLED—developed the 8.6G deposition tools used in BOE’s production.

Market Competition and Timeline

BOE has advanced its 8.6G OLED mass production timeline from the second half of next year to the first half, effectively aligning with Samsung Display’s accelerated schedule. Meanwhile, Visionox and TCL CSOT have also announced investments in 8.6G OLED production lines. Samsung Display is set to begin mass production at its Asan 8.6G line by the end of this year, with a capacity of 15,000 substrates per month.

Industry Outlook

IT OLED panels are increasingly used in tablets, laptops, and monitors. Currently, smartphone OLED panels account for about 80% of the global OLED market by revenue. However, the IT and automotive OLED segments are expected to rise sharply. According to QF Engineers’ analysis, IT and automotive OLED demand will grow from 22 million units in 2025 to over 107 million units by 2032, representing 21% of the total OLED market.

By 2027, Korean companies are projected to maintain a 63% share in IT OLED capacity, but by 2028 Chinese manufacturers are expected to surpass them. By 2030, Chinese panel makers may command a 66% global share, compared to Korea’s 34%.

Strategic Implications

The bigger concern, experts note, is BOE’s accelerated timeline for 8.6G OLED mass production. If Korean manufacturers lag in scaling capacity while the global mobile PC market experiences explosive growth, their leadership position may be challenged. QF Engineers stress that Korean companies must actively enhance technology and expand investment to remain competitive in this rapidly evolving market.

Source: newstopkorea, THEELEC

Note: This article is for industry information sharing only and does not represent the views of QF ELECTRONICS.