Samsung and Micro LED Startup PlayNitride Rumored to be at Final Stage of Their Acquisition Talk

Rumors have been spreading like crazy since May that Samsung would acquire Taiwanese Micro LED startup PlayNitride. Sources from the industry recently leaked that the two companies are at the final stage of their talk.

(Image: Micro LED Adafruit Industries via Flickr CC2.0)

PlayNitride and its shareholder Epistar are racing against time to develop Micro LED technology. Together with ITRI, Unimicron Technology, and Macroblock, it plans to demonstrate an ultra-fine pitch Micro LED display in 1H18.

Earlier in May, Samsung reportedly planned to invest NTD 4.5 billion (USD 150 million ) in PlayNitride to develop Micro LED displays for wearable devices and Micro LED TVs. The Korean firm was tight-lipped about it, while Charles Li, CEO of PlayNitride, said that was beautiful yet misleading information. However, the two companies are currently at the final stage of their talk and are negotiating the price for the acquisition, according to anonymous sources from the industry.

In response to the rumors, Li yesterday said the number of companies that want to invest in PlayNitride is more than expected and nothing is certain at this point.

Li stressed that the chance for Micro LED to succeed is getting higher and many major international companies are seeking partnerships with PlayNitride through procuring its shares or forming strategic alliances.

Current shareholders of PlayNitride include Taiwan-based LED chip giant Epistar and semiconductor company United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC). Epistar is also scrambling for Micro LED chip development.

The Industry anticipates Samsung’s participation will have positive impacts on Taiwan’s LED industry if the acquisition truly happens. It would also Samsung’s first time to collaborate, instead of compete, with Taiwanese companies in terms of developing key components for advanced technology.

Related articles:

Taiwanese Companies to Demo Micro LED Displays in 1H18

All You Need to Know About Micro LED in 1H17

Epistar Accelerates R&D of Micro-LED

Samsung Switches Focus to Micro LED to Escape Plight of Poor QLED Sales

Micro LED, VCSEL to Lift Epistar Growth from 2018

Latest Rumors Suggest Samsung May Acquire Micro LED Maker PlayNitride

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