As the global demand for advanced display technologies rises, China’s OLED panel manufacturers are rapidly expanding their production capabilities. Despite concerns over the long-term sustainability of some government-backed projects, key players in China’s display industry continue to push forward, securing new equipment and ramping up investment in OLED fabs.
Strong Government Support and Flexible OLED Development
While some ventures—such as Suntech’s earlier attempt at developing an OLED fab—failed to mature, the broader trend shows that flexible OLED technology remains a national priority. Access to provincial and local government financing has enabled manufacturers to stay competitive, though it also raises concerns about the long-term viability of certain projects.
Nonetheless, China is witnessing a steady stream of OLED display supplier activity, reflecting a strong commitment to dominating the global display market.
Major OLED Expansion Projects in China
BOE Technology, a leading OLED panel manufacturer, continues its aggressive expansion. The company has secured winning bids for equipment at its long-operating Gen 5.5 rigid OLED fab in Ordos, hinting at further upgrades. Meanwhile, equipment bidding at BOE’s Chongxing Gen 6 OLED fab is underway, supporting a projected production timeline starting in Q2 or Q3 of 2021.
Tianma Microelectronics is also accelerating its plans. The company initiated new bid requests for its Gen 6 OLED fab in Xiamen, aiming for production by Q3 2022—one quarter ahead of the original schedule.
Visionox, another key OLED display manufacturer, is in the final bidding phase for late-stage equipment at its Gen 6 fab, aligning with a Q1/Q2 launch window.
These expansions mark a critical step in China’s OLED production strategy, as domestic players aim to meet increasing global demand and improve self-sufficiency.
Positioning for Global Supply Chains
With growing capacity and improved quality, Chinese custom OLED display manufacturers are positioning themselves to enter high-value supply chains. Notably, there is rising speculation that Chinese OLED panel makers could become primary suppliers for Apple as early as 2021.
The continued investment into infrastructure, particularly in custom OLED display and flexible OLED technologies, indicates that China is not only scaling up its output but also preparing to challenge traditional industry leaders on innovation and quality.
Related: OLED Manufacturers In Asia
Chinese manufacturers continue to increase their self-sufficiency in the OLED space with the possibility that Chinese OLED panel manufacturers could enter the Apple supply chain as primary suppliers in 2021.
