Key Apple Screen Supplier to Boost OLED Operations With Chinese Investors
Wang Zhen
DATE:  Apr 08 2019
/ SOURCE:  yicai
Key Apple Screen Supplier to Boost OLED Operations With Chinese Investors Key Apple Screen Supplier to Boost OLED Operations With Chinese Investors

(Yicai Global) April 8 -- Japan Display, a joint venture between Sony,  Toshiba, and Hitachi, is looking for Chinese investment to bring  much-needed stimulus for its under-performing organic light-emitting  diode production

The Tokyo-based Apple display provider will confirm details of a USD1  billion investment deal this week, according to a statement, with  China's Silk Road Fund participating in the deal. Around three-quarters  of the financing comes from external parties with the remainder  comprising government refinancing. 

China's State Administration of Foreign Exchanges makes up 65 percent of the  Silk Road Fund, with China Investment Corporation and the Export-Import  Bank of China each holding 15 percent stakes. China Development Bank  constitutes the remaining 5 percent.

JDI is a key supplier for Apple, the California-based electronics giant  bought over one-third of its displays from the company last year.  However, the JV only provides liquid crystal displays at present and it  has run into operational difficulties as Apple transitions to OLED  technology, according to Chen Jun, vice general manager at Beijing-based  Sigmaintell Consulting.

The Silk Road Fund investment will strengthen the partnership between China  and Japan's display sectors and boost its presence globally, Chen said,  adding that JDI is actively positioning itself as a flexible OLED  technology provider. It will also accelerate investment in OLED  operations in China's mainland and aims to stabilize the Apple partnership.

Set up in 2012, the JV has posted losses for fourth straight years,  including JPY10.6 billion (USD94.9 million) for the first three quarters  last year after Apple cut its purchase orders for LCD screens and  expanded its use of OLEDs. Competition among display makers in China has  become increasingly fierce over recent years.

Editor: William Clegg

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Keywords:   Japan Display,OLED,Apple,Silk Road Fund