WATCH: New state-of-the-art OLED manufacturing site opens in Shannon

UNIVERSAL Display Corporation and PPG have officially opened a new state-of-the-art organic light-emitting diode (OLED) manufacturing facility in Shannon.

The US firm initially invested €10 million into County Clare base and the facility will double the production capacity and diversify the worldwide manufacturing footprint for UDC’s energy-efficient phosphorescent OLED emissive materials for the growing OLED market.

OLED materials are used in everyday items such as televisions, mobile devices, gaming consoles and smart watches. 

Minister for Education, who attended the official opening this Thursday on behalf of the Government, commented: “It's a very significant announcement and development for the Shannon region. And I'd like to congratulate everybody involved in UDC and PPG. I think it's a substantial financial investment, but also it's such a good news story in terms of employment for the region. “And I also think it is a very positive reflection on the caliber of graduates that we have and the skill set, in terms of availability, of the workforce here. So it's a very positive day and delighted to be part of it and to facilitate this opening."

Gerry Cahill, PPG plant manager added: “In effect, we've spent two years building up the whole facility. First year was basically just constructing it, our second year was making some OLED’s. Now we're making more OLED’s. It's a recognition for the employees as well as the landmark visit from those exterior executives.”

Currently, There are only three sites in the world making the OLED’s -  Pennsylvania, Ohio and now Shannon.

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Speaking at the official opening, Austin McCabe of UDC explained why the Mid-West was chosen for the new facility. “There's a cluster of pharma chemical companies in the Munster region and in the Shannon region so we can grow from that talent pool. University graduates coming out of the university can land running some of the engineering and the chemists that we need for our operation here,” he told the Limerick Leader / Limerick Live.

The official opening of the new facility has welcomed by both Shannon Chamber and IDA Ireland which is supporting the company.

“IDA Ireland is committed to winning jobs and investment for all regions. It's great to see the opening of this facility following on from the announcement in 2021 by UDC and PPG to locate in Shannon and create 100 jobs,” said Mary Buckley, Executive Director, IDA Ireland. 

“We are delighted to work with these companies who are at the cutting edge of their industry. I would like to wish them every success in Shannon,” she added.