Outer Chip, an INT Tech and LCD driver IC manufacturer, have established a joint venture, Ultra Display, which will focus on the development of AMOLED panel driver ICs.
According to Xu Yudong, chairman of UltraChip, Ultra Display is expected to launch samples at the end of 2017 and plans to start launching mainstream AMOLED products in 2018.
Ultra Display has a capital of NT$60 million, of which UltraChip holds 40% of the equity and INT Tech accounts for 30%. At present, the driver ICs that promote the use of AMOLED panels are not like pushing LCD driver ICs into the TFT-LCD panel industry, and driver IC design companies and panel manufacturers need to work closely together to develop solutions. Zhu Ketai, founder and CEO of INT Tech, said that a large number of AMOLED markets are being made. Zhu Teke served as CEO of Hehui Optoelectronics and is also a former executive of AUO Optoelectronics (AUO).
UltraChip's revenue in May was NT$98.74 million, up 2.8% from the previous month and down 21.5% year-on-year. Operating income in the first five months of 2017 was NT$453 million, down 16.2% from the same period last year.
UltraChip expects the global share of EPD (electrophoresis display) driver ICs to climb from 70% in the first quarter of 2016 to more than 90%.
Xu Yudong added that after starting shipment of BLDC (brushless DC) motor driver ICs in the first half of 2017, UltraChip will also start shipment of PMOLED driver solutions in the fourth quarter of this year.
via: digitimes
