ArcelorMittal and Novaled Engaged in Joint OLED-Development
Dresden, Germany and Liege, Belgium, 16th October 2007- ArcelorMittal, the world's largest quality steel maker, and Novaled, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology and material provider, have joined forces for a new OLED project. The partners are developing top-emitting OLEDs on flexible substrates for signage and lighting purposes since 2006.
By using ArcelorMittal's steel plates as substrates, remarkable properties for bendable OLED applications can be achieved. Metallic substrates offer several advantages. Compared to standard glass-sheets they are more robust and durable and commonly produced by roll-to-roll process. This production method can be adapted to a subsequent inline process for OLED-deposition enabling high through-put manufacturing with low tact time. In this collaboration Novaled contributes both its broad technical experience with respect to highly efficient and stable OLED device architectures as well as its material know-how for doped transport layers.
"We are always looking for ways to innovate and develop new application fields that add value to our steel products. We consider OLEDs to be very promising" says Michel Beguin, General Manager of ArcelorMittal's Industry Research Centre. "The Novaled technology gives us the advantage of an efficient top inverted structure well adapted to our metal substrate".
"RGB OLEDs have been processed directly on classical steel plates. The striking results showed that the Novaled technology enables standard steel foil acting as reflective bottom electrode" adds Jan Blochwitz-Nimoth, CTO of Novaled. "We are very pleased to support ArcelorMittal in its OLED developments on metal plates".
About OLEDs
OLEDs, unlike normal (inorganic) LEDs, incorporate organic materials in thin layers generating light emission when electrical power is applied. In contrast to LEDs, they are rather large-area sources with low brightness that emit diffuse light in any colour. They can be easily structured to show patterns of colour or homogeneous white light. Currently OLEDs are mainly applied in small display applications, e.g. mobile telephones, MP3 players or personal digital assistants (PDAs). In the future, thanks to OLEDs' diffuse emission character and slim/lightweight form, it will be easier for people to create an adaptable lighting environment and to feel comfortable in any mood. By combining colour with shape, organic LEDs will also create a new way of decorating and personalizing people's surroundings with light. OLEDs offer the potential to become even more efficient as energy-saving bulbs. Once efficient OLEDs are available at mass production costs, they can be used for a multitude of applications in lighting.
About ArcelorMittal Liege Research Centre
ArcelorMittal Liege Research Centre is a unit of the ArcelorMittal Group specializing in the research and development of products and steel solutions dedicated to the Industry market and in particular in Construction. Located in Sart-Tilman University Park, ArcelorMittal Liege Research Centre employs 100 Research Engineers and Technicians. This center develops new products and applications based on the use of new coatings (organic, vacuum). Energy Management is considered as a major concern.
About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is the world's number one steel company, with 320,000 employees in more than 60 countries. It has led the consolidation of the world steel industry and today ranks as the only truly global steelmaker wit an industrial presence in 27 countries.
ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. The Group leads in R&D and technology, holds sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks.
Its industrial presence in Europe, Asia, Africa and America give the Group exposure to all the key steel markets, from emerging to mature. ArcelorMittal will be looking to develop positions in the high-growth Chinese and Indian markets.
ArcelorMittal key pro forma financials for 2006 show combined revenues of USD 88.6 billions. Its production was equivalent to around 10 per cent of world steel output.
ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MTP), Brussels (MTBL), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid (MTS) and Valencia.
www.arcelormittal.com
About Novaled
Novaled AG is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies and proprietary materials. The Company is a spin-off of the Dresden University and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Main investors are Credit Agricole Private Equity, TechnoStart, TechFund Capital Europe and CDC Entreprises Innovation.
Founded in 2001, Novaled experienced a rapid growth maturing into a world-class company. Novaled commercializes its Novaled PIN OLEDTM technology along with its proprietary OLED materials to display makers and lighting companies. The company has a strong IP position in OLED technology based on more than 300 patents granted or pending.
www.novaled.com
For further information, please contact:
Novaled AG
Tatzberg 49
D - 01069 Dresden
Germany
Tel. +49 351 796 5819
Fax: +49 351 796 5829
email: anke.lemke@novaled.com
ArcelorMittal Liege
Research and Development
Boulevard de Colonster B57
B-4000 Liege
Belgium
Tel. + 32 4 236 8814
Fax: + 32 4 236 8814
email : gabrielle.wegnez@arcelormittal.com
