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​SDC Looks to Localize Production of FMMs
August 05, 2019
 
Shadow Masks are a key component to the manufacture of smartphone displays and are very expensive ranging up to $1m for each panel design. Samsung Display has been working on for two years to replace DNP as the primary provider of the masks. DNP supplied shadow masks that can produce very high pixel densities only to Samsung Display. However, most OLED display makers are shipping panels with comparable pixel densities, which gives Samsung the freedom to look elsewhere for lower cost FMMs.  SDC is also trying to localize production and has asked companies to produce shadow masks production and requested samples. Wave Electronics, Philoptics, and TGOTech are working with Samsung Display. 
 
 
Figure 1: Manufacturing of FMM’s I

Source: DSCC

​TOPPAN also supplies shadow masks to South Korean companies. However, its shadow masks are considered to be of lower performance than the ones produced by DNP. One of the reasons why South Korean businesses have had difficult time with localizing shadow masks is DNP’s dominant position within shadow mask industry.
“There were concerns that DNP would limit its supply of shadow masks to Samsung Display if Samsung Display diversified its supply network by receiving even small supply of shadow masks from a South Korean business.” said a representative for the industry. 

Figure 2: Manufacturing of FMM’s II

Source: DSCC

“Because shadow mask is an important component, Samsung Display has felt constraint when it comes to supply network of shadow mask.”  High degree of technology is another reason why South Korean businesses are struggling to localize shadow mask. Shadow masks use invar comprised of iron and nickel. DNP sources the invar form Hitachi Metal. Hitachi Metal and DNP possess a technology that can produce optimum super invar that does not deflect even at high-temperature deposition process and can form a super-thin thickness. South Korean businesses trying different methods. Wave Electronics developed a shadow mask that can implement full HD resolution, but could not satisfy CTE (Thermal Expansion Coefficient) standard. However, recent progress could signal a turning point and since Samsung is actively looking for new sources, they believe that there will be new opportunities, the timeline may be shortened. Staff Reporter Bae, Okjin | [email protected]