Oled giant UDC unveils S’pore precision manufacturing solutions spin-off
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UVJC hopes to manufacture machines for customers in the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries, among others.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
- Universal Display Corporation's Singapore subsidiary, UVJC, will invest $50 million build machines to manufacture for the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries.
- UVJC's new HQ in Singapore includes a lab and prototype manufacturing, with plans to hire and start internship programs with local universities and polytechnics.
- UVJC intends to design and manufacture first machine to serve other industries by March 2026.
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SINGAPORE – Universal Display Corporation (UDC), a major developer of Oled materials used in the screens of smartphones and TVs, has said its Singapore subsidiary will tap its proprietary thin-film printing technology to produce manufacturing solutions for other industries.
UDC president and chief executive Steve Abramson said the subsidiary, Universal Vapor Jet Corporation (UVJC), will extend its “novel dry printing and precision additive manufacturing platform into exciting new application areas”.
This includes advanced packaging for semiconductors and the printing of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
UVJC, which was established in 2024, will invest $50 million in equipment and talent over the next five years to commercialise its universal vapour jet printing (UVJP) technology.
These plans were shared by UVJC CEO Chandran Nair on Oct 28 at the launch of its global headquarters at Mapletree Hi-Tech Park @ Kallang Way.
The 8,000 sq ft facility also houses a research and development centre, laboratory and prototype manufacturing space.
Nasdaq-listed UDC develops materials for Oled displays, which use millions of light-emitting pixels to deliver impeccable picture quality on TVs and smartphones.
UVJP is a dry, solvent-free printing and deposition technology evolved from UDC’s organic vapour jet printing technology used to create ultra-thin layers of organic molecules to make these Oled displays.
UVJP precisely deposits thin films of materials without the need for masking, offering a cleaner, faster and more efficient alternative to traditional manufacturing methods.
This is “poised to open new possibilities across semiconductors, displays, life sciences and clean energy”, Mr Nair said.
This technology will be adapted to meet the needs of other industries, with the first machine with such capabilities slated to be made here by March 2026, he added.
The plan is to sell these machines and components to customers, including contract manufacturers, in Asia, Europe and the United States, he added.
Starting in November, UVJC will run an internship programme, bringing on board engineering students and fresh graduates from the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore University of Technology and Design.
The firm is looking to start a similar programme with local polytechnics, and to sponsor candidates to pursue doctorates in deep technology fields.
“It gives us visibility into the best and the brightest as we are ready to hire.
“It is a long interview process for us and an education process for them,” Mr Nair said, while declining to provide an estimated number of new hires.
He added that UVJC currently has 15 employees and plans to “scale as needed” by hiring across strategy, technology and advanced engineering functions.
UVJC chief executive Chandran Nair with the vapour jet printer at UVJC’s new state-of-the-art facility in Mapletree Hi-Tech Park on Oct 28.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Mr Nair said: “We chose Singapore as our headquarters because of its thriving manufacturing and innovation ecosystem, along with its skilled talent base.”
The firm received support from the Economic Development Board (EDB), and is exploring collaborations with several A*Star research institutes in areas such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and healthcare technologies.
“This investment will not only create new job opportunities in advanced printing and manufacturing technologies, but will also deepen Singapore’s research capabilities in semiconductors, healthcare and materials science through collaboration with local partners like A*Star,” said Mr Marcus Dass, senior vice-president and head of global enterprises at EDB.
Mr Beh Kian Teik, CEO at A*Star, said UVJC’s move to establish its global headquarters in Singapore “underscores the importance of deep-tech partnerships in advancing sustainable manufacturing”.
“A*Star looks forward to building deep partnerships with companies like UVJC that are committed to invest and grow in Singapore, combining our complementary strengths to deliver industry and societal impact,” he added.
