Samsung SDI said it would double monthly output capacity of active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM-OLED) displays to 3 million units by 2008 from 1.5 million now.

The world's No.3 maker of plasma display panels is increasingly looking at the super thin screens called AM-OLED as a growth driver, as they produce brighter images and use less power.

Due the fledging nature of the market, no other company has ever manufactured the products on such a big scale. Currently, LG Electronics produces 100,000 units every month.

An AM OLED is only 1/3 of an LCD product in terms of thickness and consumes over 60% less electricity. Furthermore, it displays images in excellent resolution. The relevant technology and the astronomical investment in the technology have hindered mass production until now. Samsung SDI Display CEO Kim Jae-uk told reporters yesterday at the Cheonan plant, “We invested almost $500 billion since late 2005 to build the assembly lines at this complex. We began to produce 2-inch AM OLED units on the 730×920 mm glass plate since September this year.”

"AM-OLEDs are an ideal technology for portable displays," Kim Jea-wook, president of Samsung SDI's display unit, told a press conference. "Any decision to enter the television business will be made depending on circumstances."
Kim projected, “We have supplied our AM OLED products to several global handset manufactures, and they showed positive responses. As of this moment, we have received purchase orders covering 90% of the products to be manufactured next year. When things permit, we will increase the production by five times by 2009, or 7.5 million units per month.

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