Universal Display Corporation and PPG have announced that OLED Material Manufacturing Ltd. (OM²) and PPG are embarking on a multimillion-euro capital investment that is expected to create up to 100 high-tech jobs at a new Shannon manufacturing site.

The facility, which was announced in February 2021, will broaden the global footprint and increase the production of Universal Display Corporation’s (UDC) energy-efficient, high-performing UniversalPHOLED^® materials to meet growing organic light emitting diode (OLED) market demand and evolving industry requirements.

'One of the fastest-growing sectors'

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD said: “This major announcement by OLED Material Manufacturing and PPG is a welcome boost to the Mid-West region. It will make a significant contribution to Shannon and the Irish economy in terms of job creation, investment and innovation. Technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors here in Ireland and globally, and I wish the team continued success.”

Austin McCabe, director, OLED Material Manufacturing Limited, said: “Our manufacturing expansion in Ireland allows UDC to strengthen its mission, which centers on enabling our customers and fostering the proliferation of energy-efficient OLED display and lighting applications in the consumer landscape. Leveraging UDC Ireland’s presence, the site’s infrastructure and the midwest region’s top-level talent, we are excited about the new Shannon facility.

"Together with our long-term partner, PPG, this multi-million-euro investment will expand the global manufacturing footprint for UDC’s proprietary state-of-the-art phosphorescent emissive materials to meet the substantial growth forecasted for the OLED market.”
    
Gerry Cahill, PPG plant manager, Shannon, said: “This project will bring a broad spectrum of jobs, a large number of which are highly skilled, to the Mid-West region. PPG has been producing high-performance OLED materials for UDC for the past 20 years.

"The expansion into Ireland with the addition of the Shannon facility shows confidence in not only the UDC-PPG partnership but also in Ireland as a place in which to invest and do business. In this regard, we are thankful for the support of the government through IDA Ireland.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland, said: “This decision by OLED Material Manufacturing and PPG to invest in Shannon demonstrates the companies’ confidence in the availability of a skilled and talented workforce in the midwest region.”

PPG is the longstanding partner and exclusive manufacturer of UDC’s UniversalPHOLED emitter materials. OLED Material Manufacturing Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UDC Ireland Ltd., which is a subsidiary of UDC. Facility renovations and regulatory approvals at the Shannon site are expected to be completed in the next 12 months so that operations can commence in 2022.