Konica Officially Begins Mass Production and Sales of OLED Panel for Lighting with the World's Highest Luminous Efficacy

Konica Minolta recently issued a press release announcing that it has begun mass production of an OLED (organic EL) panel for lighting that achieves the world's highest level of luminous efficacy. Sample sales will begin on October 3 as a set package (including 4 panels, a dedicated screwdriver case, and AC power cable) at a price of 150,000 yen. Konica has also named its brand of next-generation lighting products, including OLED lighting, "Symfos".

　　Konica stated that this OLED panel for lighting uses only phosphorescent light-emitting materials, achieving a luminous efficacy of 45 lm/W, the highest level in the world, with a brightness of 1,000 cd/m2, a lifetime of 8,000 hours, and dimensions of 74x74x1.9 mm (L x W x T). Konica pointed out that there are two types of OLED light emission: fluorescent and phosphorescent, and theoretically the luminous efficacy of products using phosphorescent emission can reach four times that of the current mainstream fluorescent emission. Konica will also exhibit 2 application products using the above OLED panels at CEATEC JAPNA 2011, which opens today (the 4th).

　　OLED lighting features characteristics that current lighting products lack, such as being lightweight, thin, and providing area light sources. Unlike fluorescent lamps, it does not contain mercury, reducing environmental burden, and its light does not contain ultraviolet rays, reducing eye irritation. OLED lighting also features flexibility and the ability to freely change light color tones. Its power-saving performance is estimated to be comparable to LED lighting within several years.