JOLED

About JOLED

JOLED Inc. was a Japanese display technology company established in 2015 as a consolidation of the OLED business divisions of Panasonic and Sony, with additional investment from the state-backed fund Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Japan Display (JDI). The company focused on the research, development, and eventual manufacturing of OLED displays using a proprietary inkjet printing method, which aimed to be more cost-effective than traditional evaporation-based processes. JOLED specialized in medium-sized OLED panels intended for high-end applications like medical and professional monitors, and automotive displays. The company's "OLEDIO" branded panels were used by several major electronics manufacturers, including LG for its professional monitors, Asus, and Eizo. Despite pioneering its printing technology and starting mass production in 2021 at its Nomi plant, JOLED struggled with high production costs, low yields, and intense competition from established South Korean and Chinese display manufacturers. The company received significant investments, including from auto-parts maker Denso and China's TCL CSOT, but failed to achieve profitability. In March 2023, facing debts of approximately $257 million, JOLED filed for bankruptcy protection. Subsequently, its manufacturing and sales operations were shut down, including its plants in Nomi and Chiba, resulting in significant layoffs. As part of the proceedings, Japan Display Inc. (JDI) acquired JOLED's OLED technology development business, intellectual property, and approximately 100 employees for about $7.2 million. JDI did not assume JOLED's liabilities or its manufacturing facilities. The acquisition, completed in June 2023, was aimed at integrating JOLED's R&D capabilities into JDI's own growth strategy.