Merck 2008 Annual Report Download - page 60

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MANAGEMENT REPORT OF THE MERCK GROUP 55
24 Responsibility
26 Merck shares
30 Pharmaceuticals business sector
50 Chemicals business sector
12 Overall economic situation
14 Economic development
of Merck
15 Financial position and results
of operations
60 Corporate and Other
61 Risk report
64 Report on expected developments
64 Subsequent events
OLED materials
Aside from liquid crystal technology, our researchers are working on materials for
innovative displays. Here the special focus of development is on OLED materials
(organic light-emitting diodes). They are used in mobile phones, MP3 players and
digital picture frames, and have been introduced in televisions. First TV prototypes
with 30-inch screens have been announced. Here too, our researchers maintain a
close exchange with manufacturers. Merck materials are already inside many OLED
displays on the market. Merck also intends to position itself as a leading material
supplier in this new display technology.
Growth market of photovoltaics
In addition to display materials, the division is active in the growth market of photovol-
taics and is developing new energy-saving lighting materials. In photovoltaics, we are
focusing on the development of materials for printing technologies and for the produc-
tion of organic solar cells. With the isishape® range, we offer solar cell manufacturers
printable etching pastes for low-cost structuring of the materials required within the
production process. A new production plant was commissioned for this at the Darmstadt
site in 2008. New technologies for producing organic and thin-film solar cells are gain-
ing an increasing share of the market as a result of cost advantages.
Alternative to conventional light bulbs
Under solid-state lighting we combine research activities focused on developing light-
ing materials for white LEDs (light-emitting diodes). These LEDs can be an alternative
to conventional light bulbs and energy-saving lamps that consume relatively large
amounts of energy and have low efficiency rates. If attempts to increase the efficiency
of lighting materials succeed, experts estimate that this could eliminate the need for up
to 200 coal-fired power plants worldwide. To support these developments, in July 2008
Merck acquired LITEC-LLL GmbH of Greifswald, Germany, a company specializing in
the development, production and marketing of ortho-silicate lighting materials.
Our OLED materials are used not only for spot lighting but also for innovative area
lighting, making it possible to illuminate large areas while saving energy. Here, proto-
types have already been developed in cooperation with leading lighting manufacturers.
Active in the top research cluster
Networks between science and industry play an essential role in developing cutting-
edge technologies. Merck is actively participating in several research and cooperation
projects, for example the Organic Electronics cluster of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan
region, which was one of the winners of the top-cluster competition launched by the
German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Areas of focus include developing
organic light-emitting diodes and smart labels based on printed electronic circuits.
We supply materials for the
production of solar cells.