| DuPont and Cambridge Display Technology (CDT) today announced a strategic agreement to advance light emitting polymer (LEP) displays, also known as polymer organic light emissive displays. The agreement establishes an important intellectual property collaboration and is a critical step toward furthering the commercialisation of light emitting polymers used to create ultra-thin, lightweight and low-power displays for electronic products such as mobile phones, hand-held notebooks and other electronic products. "We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with CDT and are excited to match the strengths of our two companies," said Chet Pribonic, chief executive officer of DuPont Displays. "This is one of a number of strategic alliances we have developed to advance t
he use of light emitting polymer display technology in the electronics communication market. An alliance with CDT gives us greater access to this important technology and a faster pace to market." As part of the agreement, DuPont will receive a non-exclusive license to technology and intellectual property assets held by CDT. This will enable DuPont to produce both active and passive light emitting polymer display devices, thereby supporting the implementation of DuPont Displays’ business model. Additionally, DuPont Displays’ subsidiary UNIAX, which specialises in electroluminescent polymers, will have its light emitting polymer intellectual property and process know-how consolidated with that of CDT. This will add to CDT’s already extensive light emitting polymer intellectual property holdings and further strengthens its position as the global leader in this area. The consolidation provides the industry a centralised source from which to acquire all relevant light emitting polymer intellectual property and technology know-how. "This strategic agreement is an important milestone for both companies and one based on mutual satisfaction of business objectives," said David Fyfe, chief executive officer of CDT. "This consolidation will reinforce CDT’s enabling role in the light emitting polymer space as well as help speed commercialisation of the technology. Developing cooperative relationships with companies with the resources, commitment, and global reach that DuPont offers is key to establishing the prominence of our technology in the display industry." Overall, the agreement reinforces the strong momentum for light emitting polymers within the burgeoning organic light emissive displays market, including both small molecule, polymer organic light emitting devices and others. According to research from Display Search, organic light emissive display revenue is expected to grow to $4.2billion (USD) in 2007. The organic light emissive display market consists of a wide range of electronics products that includes mobile phones, digital cameras, camcorders, microdisplays, and eventually personal computers and other consumer products. Cambridge Display Technology (CDT) is a privately held company leading the research, development and commercialisation of polymer technology for flat panel displays and lighting. CDT’s light emitting polymer (LEP) technology is targeted for use in a wide range of electronic display products used for information management, communications and entertainment. Features include reduced power consumption, size, thickness and weight, very wide viewing angle, superior video imaging performance and the potential to produce displays on plastic substrates. To date, licenses have been granted to Delta Electronics, DuPont, OSRAM, Philips, and Seiko-Epson, who have either announced imminent start of production or are actively implementing their manufacturing strategies. CDT is promoting LEP technology development and speeding its commercialisation through a global business strategy including co-developments with leading companies in a wide range of display and related technology areas. Founded in 1992, the company is headquartered in Cambridge, UK. DuPont Displays is focused on the global flat panel display market. Based on its core competencies in Polymer science and optical elements, the business is building capability to develop displays that will meet the performance and cost demands of the fast-paced information technology industry. |