Konica Minolta 2009 Annual Report Download - page 12

10
but also getting ready to enter the medium- and
heavy-duty segments. To achieve this, we will draw on
our strategic business alliance with Océ. In Optics, we
will maintain our dominant positions by bringing out
next-generation VA-TAC films and strengthening
cost- competitiveness while becoming even more
cost-competitive in optical pickup lenses.
Secondly, we plan to grow existing businesses and
create new customer value. We will focus on produc-
tion printing and optics devices. In production printing,
we will draw on our world-leading polymerized toner
technologies and the product planning capabilities we
have accumulated in light production areas to build
new core businesses, concentrating on expansion in
the medium-to-heavy and commercial printing
segments. To do this, it is important for us to utilize
the expertise we gain in workflow and color manage-
ment from our own printing operations to provide
easy-to-use, unique solutions to our customers.
In optical devices, we will integrate core optics,
image processing, and sensing technologies, expand
their applications, and enter markets other than
information appliances.
Thirdly, looking further ahead, we will cultivate
opportunities in areas where there are increasing
social needs, notably the environment and energy
and health, security, and safety. We will further
improve and integrate core materials, optics,
nano-fabrication, and imaging technologies to create
new businesses, thereby contributing significantly to
society. In the environment and energy, for example,
we are pushing ahead in a strategic alliance with GE
to commercialize next-generation OLED lighting. Such
initiatives should help us to generate strong growth
once the economy recovers.
To achieve the solid expansion we seek, it is criti-
cal for us to build a corporate culture that triggers
paradigm shifts. We will build a bright new future once
we ensure the complete dedication of each Group
employee to the cause and transform the internal
culture and attitudes.
Given that OLED lighting is a key to
growth, what are Konica Minolta’s
strengths in this area?
We developed a phosphorescence-type OLED device
using the evaporation method. It is the fruit of proprie-
tary technologies from our photo film and copier
photoconductors, notably for organic materials,
synthetics, and multilayer design and optical design.
Several companies have previously commercialized
fluorescent OLED devices using the evaporation
method. But these offerings were inferior to current
fluorescent lights in terms of luminous efficiency and
durability. Tests have shown that our phosphorescence-
type OLED device performs much better on both
those scores. The power savings over fluorescent
and incandescent lights are roughly 30% and 85%,
respectively. Moreover, OLED lightings are far more
easily recyclable, as they do not contain mercury and
other hazardous substances. Considering all the merits,
phosphorescence-type OLED lightings are expected
to be the next- generation standard for lighting.
OLED lightings are attracting attention because of
their environmental benefits, but price will be the key
to them becoming mainstream. The challenge will be
to lower the pricing to the level of conventional
lighting. We aim to overcome the price barrier by
developing phosphorescence-type OLED devices by
adopting the coating method that is suitable for mass
Such initiatives should help us to generate strong growth
once the economy recovers.
“”
Q
A