Konica Minolta 2007 Annual Report Download - page 13

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11
Regarding the creation of new businesses, technology development is progressing
in the areas of organic electronics and in new medical fields.
In organic electronics, Konica Minolta signed a strategic alliance agreement
with General Electric Company in March 2007 to speed up development and com-
mercialization of organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices for light sources.
Organic EL is composed of a thin layer of organic material sandwiched between
two electrodes that emits light when an electronic field is applied. Thus there are
high expectations in the field of illumination displays for organic EL as the next
generation technology. OLED lighting is a surface light source that has many
properties not available in light sources heretofore; a film-type device that is easy
to bend, as well as thin, and environmentally friendly. The current global lighting
market is estimated at ¥9 trillion and is forecast to grow 5% per annum.
Development is also under consideration for this product in other applications,
such as back lights for LCDs and as a stand-alone display.
In terms of new medical fields, the Group is actively pursuing development in
life science areas, and developing reagents and diagnostic equipment for genetic
testing. We also promote joint research with other corporations and universities
for the development of basic technologies for stem cell biological systems for
application in diagnostic systems for the early detection of cancer.
Creation of New Businesses
Konica Minolta Group’s R&D System and Major Themes
Product
development
Technology
development
Basic
development
• Next generation toner
• New fixation technology
• Controller platforms
• Medical practitioner
systems
• Ubiquitous imaging
equipment
• Next generation memory
technologies
• Films with new functions
• Medical diagnostic imaging
• Organic electronics
• New medical applications
Strengthen existing
businesses
[Product commercialization
in 2–3 years]
Business domain
expansion
[Product commercialization
in 3–5 years]
Future business
creation
[Product commercialization
in 5 years or more]
Development at
business companies
Development at
Technology Center