LG Display has filed trademark applications for logos associated with its maskless OLED technology, FLiPP.

According to the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) on Aug. 5, LG Display submitted two FLiPP logo trademark applications on July 30.

The application numbers are 40-2026-0155774 and 40-2026-0155775. Both applications are currently awaiting examination. The designated goods include display panels, monitors, smartphones, tablet PCs, televisions and flexible displays.

The logos feature the FLiPP brand name alongside the phrase “FMM-Less innovative Pixel Patterning.” Separate versions were filed for use on light and dark backgrounds. Portions of the lettering incorporate red, green and blue (RGB) colors.

FLiPP is a technology that patterns RGB OLED subpixels using photolithography-based processes instead of fine metal masks (FMMs).

Conventional RGB OLED manufacturing selectively deposits red, green and blue emissive materials through FMMs containing microscopic apertures. As substrate sizes increase and pixel dimensions shrink, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage mask sagging, thermal deformation and alignment errors. The physical thickness of the mask can also create shadow effects that limit pixel aperture ratios.

FLiPP replaces FMMs with exposure and patterning processes to form RGB OLED subpixels. The approach is expected to reduce the physical limitations associated with FMMs, making it more suitable for high-resolution displays and larger substrates. However, challenges remain in suppressing damage to organic emissive layers during patterning and achieving commercially viable manufacturing yields.

LG Display is currently conducting research and development on FLiPP-related manufacturing processes.

CETC Fenghua Information-Equipment, a Chinese display equipment maker under China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), has supplied cleaning and debubbling equipment to LG Display's organic light-emitting diode (OLED) module production line in Vietnam, marking the first time a Chinese OLED equipment supplier has sold directly to LG Display without going through a Korean partner.

According to industry sources on Aug. 5, CETC Fenghua Information-Equipment supplied a total of seven units to LG Display's OLED module line in Hai Phong, Vietnam, including one cleaning system and six debubbling systems. The equipment was delivered in phases from late last year through early this year.

The tools were installed both in existing mass-production module lines and in newly established production lines.

Cleaning and debubbling systems are back-end process tools used in OLED module assembly. Industry sources estimate that a cleaning system costs about 1 billion won per unit and a debubbler around 500 million won. As a result, the total value of the order is believed to be roughly 4 billion won.

These types of systems had previously been supplied by Korean small and medium-sized equipment makers. LG Display has now added CETC Fenghua as an additional supplier, creating a dual-source supply chain alongside existing domestic vendors.

Industry observers believe the decision was driven by a combination of pricing, performance and delivery competitiveness. CETC Fenghua has improved the performance and operability of its equipment through deployments at mass-production lines operated by major Chinese panel makers including BOE Technology, TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) and Tianma. The company's ability to customize equipment designs according to customers' manufacturing processes and product specifications is also said to have contributed to its selection as a supplier.

As a result, if the performance of the initially supplied equipment is validated, CETC Fenghua could secure a larger share of future equipment orders.

CETC Fenghua is a display equipment manufacturer affiliated with CETC. The company specializes in panel cutting and debubbling equipment and holds more than 65% market share in smart debubbling systems used in Chinese display production lines.

The company currently supplies equipment to major Chinese display makers including BOE, CSOT, Tianma, Everdisplay Optronics (EDO) and Truly International. It is also expanding into cleaning systems, polarizer lamination, optical clear adhesive (OCA) lamination, bonding, inspection equipment and automated assembly lines.

"Based on the current shipment volume alone, it would be difficult to conclude that Korean equipment has been replaced by Chinese equipment," an industry official said. "However, now that the Chinese supplier has moved beyond the evaluation stage and secured a track record in mass-production supply, it may be able to compete for future capacity expansion projects and orders for other back-end process equipment."