Considering Lighting Japan 2014 is a trade show focused on LED and OLED industry, it is probably no surprise that Philips featured a couple of OLED products at its booth from Jan. 15-17, 2014 at Tokyo Big Sight. In fact, the company has highlighted more OLED products at its booth this year than LED products. 

The OLED products highlighted at Philips booth included OLED panel GL 350, an interactive OLED mirror, and miniature Living Sculptures. Only two LED products were displayed at the booth including Philips Hue bulbs and LED textile. The emphasis on OLED technology reflects the difficult market condition for OLED manufacturers. 

Kenichi Hara, Key Account Manager, Lighting Division, Special Lighting, Philips Electronics Japan. (LEDinside)

“Philips has had many years of experience in the general lighting sector, but the OLED market is a completely different market,” explained Kenichi Hara, Key Account Manager, Lighting Division, Special Lighting, Philips Electronics Japan. “Many of the manufacturers are in the same situation, as to how to sell and approach to make OLED lighting useful.”  

Philips OLED panel GL 350 displayed at Lighting Japan 2014. (LEDinside)

The OLED panel GL 350, for instance, which is a warm colored OLED at 3,200 K can be applied in buildings, said Hara. The panel has an energy efficiency performance of 45 lm/W is slightly lower than LED bulbs 50 lm/W, and is sold at around 20,000 Japanese Yen (US$ 192.08). Mini OLED Living Sculptures can be used in hotel lighting applications and entrances. 

In Japan, the OLED market is still pretty much focused in the construction sector, noted Hara. Philips, for instance, is selling most of its OLED products to general contractor and material makers, which is a completely different market channel from general lighting. “It is a difficult market to sell compared to general lighting,” commented Hara. 

Philips OLED mirror LivingShapes Interactive mirror. (LEDinside)

For OLED makers vying after the general lighting market, the beauty and cosmetic industry seems to have garnered much interest. Philips has also shown similar interest in the Japan beauty and cosmetic industry with the display of interactive OLED mirror, LivingShapes Interactive mirror. The OLED lighting panels displayed on the mirror can be adjusted according to user preference. 

Philips LED Luminous textile. (LEDinside)

As for other novel applications at the Philips booth, the company did not display LED signal carpets that are being co-developed with Desso. Instead, LED Luminous textiles were hung on one side of the booth wall. The decorative textiles can be customized, with a wide range of fabrics for consumers to choose from. In addition, the lights can be used as decorative lighting for wedding and hospital rooms, said Hara. However, the LED textiles are priced at a hefty price of US$ 4,802 (500,000 Japanese Yen) a piece, so it probably will not be widely used by hotels anytime soon.