LGD promotes Apple OLED production expansion, LTPO equipment procurement enters preparation stage

On August 14, according to Korean media reports, LG Display is promoting the procurement of LTPO process equipment for the AP5 production line in Paju, South Korea, as a follow-up project to the 1.1 trillion won investment in new OLED facilities announced in April this year.

It is reported that LGD has determined the sputtering equipment required to introduce the AP5 LTPO process, and is currently coordinating specific specifications and purchase quantities with equipment suppliers. Awaco, Aifake and other companies participate in supply competition.

AP5 is LGD’s 6th generation OLED production line used to produce Apple iPad LTPO TFT, and is currently also used in smartphone OLED production. At this stage, AP5 invests approximately 15,000 glass substrates per month. LGD plans to add a new production line with a monthly input of about 7,500 pieces, and aims to put it into production in 2028. By then, the overall investment will increase to about 22,500 pieces per month.

LTPO combines LTPS TFT and oxide TFT, which can take into account higher current driving capability and lower leakage current, and supports variable refresh rate, helping to reduce display power consumption. In the LTPO process, sputtering equipment is used to form oxide semiconductor films. LGD is currently evaluating different equipment options such as conventional and hybrid types, and determining final specifications and suppliers based on process requirements.

Previously, LGD has determined that the supplier of AP5 6th generation OLED evaporation equipment is Xianyi System, and the supporting vacuum logistics equipment has also been determined. The sputtering and other process equipment required for subsequent LTPO conversion is expected to be purchased one after another.

This equipment purchase is part of LGD’s 1.1 trillion won investment in new OLED facilities. The investment plan lasts until June 2028 and is mainly used to expand the production base of the AP5 production line and support the development and mass production of small and medium-sized OLED products.

According to reports, LGD plans to complete the selection of sputtering equipment suppliers in August, and aims to install the equipment in the second quarter of 2027, completing the equipment entry by April next year at the latest.