According to a recent video news report on the NHK website four Japanese firms have reportedly invested about US$ 400 million dollars in JOLED - a Japanese developer of printed OLED display panels.
The NHK news report said unnamed Industrial sources had informed them that JOLED had received the investment by the end of June. JOLEd has largely been Government funded through the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan.
The Industrial sources believe that four investors made the investment. Denso invested about US$ 270 million dollars, Toyota Tsusho put in about US$ 90 million. Two other companies Sumitomo Chemical (owner of Cambridge Display Technology) and Screen Holdings were named as additional investors.
It has been widely reported that JOLED researchers are working on mass producing OLEDs using a "printing method" to lower manufacturing costs.
The company plans to invest the new funds in its production base in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan. Aiming to become more competitive with its South Korean and Chinese rivals.
With the increase in capital, shares held by the state-backed fund fell below a majority.
JOLED executives are still seeking investment from other companies and hope to raise over US$ 900 million dollars in total. No timeline for this additional investment has been announced.