CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, - Cambridge Display Technology (CDT), the leading researcher and commercial developer of light emitting polymer (LEP) technology, and owner of the fundamental intellectual property for LEPs, today announced the completion of its new 1,750 square meter facility for LEP technology development and the start of operations almost a month ahead of the original schedule and within budget. The US$25m facility includes a 600 square meter state-of-the-art clean room comprising class 1000 and class 100 areas and has already fabricated first displays on 350 x 350 mm glass substrates using spin coating polymer deposition techniques.

The facility underpins CDT’s commitment to the broad scope commercialisation of LEP technology in electronic displays, general lighting and photovoltaic applications. It will enable the rapid expansion of CDT’s licensing and technology transfer activities, significantly increasing the scale and scope of intellectual property, technology and manufacturing know how available to its licensees.

CDT will utilise the new facility in joint venture, co-development and partnership with strategic partner companies to accelerate the development of LEP polymer materials as well as development of a full range of commercial manufacturing solutions for current and future licensees and partners.  In addition, the facility is planned to eventually produce displays for specialized consumer, medical, industrial, military and other electronic product markets.

“This facility represents a major investment for CDT,” said David Fyfe, CEO at CDT. “CDT is focused on speeding the adoption of its technology and the success of its licensees. The facility will enable us to perform a wide range of the development activities required by our licensees to ensure their commercial success using our LEP technology. Our licensees can have confidence that CDT will continue to develop the technology solutions they need to realise the diverse and increasing market potential of LEPs.”

CDT has installed approximately $18.5m of capital equipment in the facility and initial equipment tests have been completed, resulting in first display fabrication. Transfer of CDT’s existing intellectual know-how from the current six inch research line in Cambridge to the new pilot line has begun as well as scaling up of manufacturing processes and general operations of the new line. CDT will install four inkjet printing machines from its recently acquired subsidiary Litrex (Pleasanton, CA) in the second half of 2002 giving it the capability to fabricate high resolution monochrome and full colour LEP displays at the new facility.

The OLED display market has been forecast to grow to as much as $4.2 billion in revenue by 2007. The OLED display market consists of a wide range of electronics products that includes mobile phones, personal digital assistants, digital cameras, camcorders, microdisplays, and eventually personal computers and other consumer products.

About CDT

Cambridge Display Technology (CDT) is a privately held company leading the research, development and commercialisation of polymer technology for flat panel displays and lighting. CDT’s light emitting polymer (LEP) technology is targeted for use in a wide range of electronic display products used for information management, communications and entertainment. Features include reduced power consumption, size, thickness and weight, very wide viewing angle, superior video imaging performance and the potential to produce displays on plastic substrates. To date, licenses have been granted to Delta Optoelectronics, DuPont Displays, OSRAM, Philips, and Seiko-Epson, who have either announced imminent start of production or are actively implementing their manufacturing strategies.

CDT is promoting LEP technology development and speeding its commercialisation through a global business strategy including co-developments with leading companies in a wide range of display and related technology areas. Founded in 1992, the company is headquartered in Cambridge, UK.