CDT and Covion Remove Barrier to Entry for Third Party LEP Development
CDT and Covion, the two companies leading the development and commercialisation of Light Emitting Polymer (LEP) devices and materials today announced a marketing alliance. The Polymer Display Alliance (PODIA) aims to remove the barriers to entry for LEP technology, with the ultimate goal of accelerating technology transfer to companies looking to develop products in this area.

PODIA intends to make available all the necessary technology from polymer materials, device architecture and process know-how through to device prototyping to companies wishing to evaluate LEP display technology.

"PODIA will aid technology transfer to companies seeking to take a stake in this rapidly emerging technology. This is another example of how CDT is leading the commercialisation of LEP through developing mutually beneficial business relationships with other world class companies," said Danny Chapchal, CEO, CDT.

LEP is widely accepted as the most likely replacement technology for the cathode ray tube (CRT) and liquid crystal display (LCD). At the Wall Street Journal CEO Forum which took place in London in September 1998, a panel of industry leader identified LEP as one of three technologies set to storm the market in the next three years.

Aside from the two founding members of the PODIA, companies currently working in the area of LEP technology include Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Dow, DuPont, UNIAX, Philips and Siemens.

PODIA will use its Web site as the primary channel for communication with target companies. As a first goal, members of the alliance intend to publish the availability and sale of LEP evaluation kits online. Once purchased, companies can get technical support, access frequently answered questions (FAQs) and enter dialogue with support engineers through a common point of entry.

"Covion has invested more than six years of intensive research and development into LEP materials. Our first objective was to support Philips until they were market ready with LEP based products. Now that they have reached that milestone, we are able to help other companies develop applications for our best-in-class materials," said Dr. Schenk, Managing Director, Covion.

"Both founding members of the PODIA, recognise that to bring LEPs into a broad range of markets quickly, needs not only materials but also processing and device expertise to be available to our product partners. Between us we can deliver everything those companies need to design, develop, and make LEP displays with excellent performance - we aim to be a one-stop-shop, a single point of contact for sourcing this technology," said Dr. Kevin McAloon, New Business Development Manager, Covion.

"Not only are LEPs set to displace traditional display technologies such as LCD and CRT, but they will also enable a whole series of as yet unknown applications. We have formed this alliance to provide support to developers at every stage of the supply chain, from display designers, product developers and manufacturers," said Mark Gostick, Marketing Director, CDT.

About Covion
Covion Organic Semiconductors GmbH set up in April 1999 as a Joint Venture of Aventis Research & Technologies (a member of the Hoechst group) and Zeneca Specialties.

About CDT
CDT is leading research and commercial development of light emitting polymers (LEP). The company holds fundamental patents in the area that are set to significantly change a wide range of consumer electronic products. CDT announced its commercialisation strategy to bring its LEP technology to market through patent and know how licensing in the middle of 1996.