A South Korean company says it has begun mass-producing white-light micro LED chips without rare earth materials, potentially reducing costs and environmental concerns in a market valued at about US$10 billion. The technology could also support smaller lighting systems, augmented reality displays, and optical links for artificial intelligence data communications.

Radiant Opto-Electronics, a major backlight module maker, is expanding into new businesses and targeting next-generation optical communications architecture, particularly co-packaged optics (CPO) applications above 6.4T. Chairman and General Manager Yu-Chao Wang said the company plans to provide samples to selected customers in 2027 and could enter mass production as early as 2028.

Taiwan-based CoreIntelligence Holdings Corporation (CiHC) expects demand for its in-car projection products to grow 60% to 70% in 2027, as high-end projection solutions and immersive applications emerge as potential growth drivers.

Samsung Display (SDC) President Lee Chung-hwan recently met with senior executives from US equipment maker Applied Materials as SDC accelerates development of fine metal mask (FMM)-free OLED technology. The meeting has drawn attention as SDC and Chinese panel maker Visionox compete to advance FMM-free technologies such as MPO and ViP, along with the related equipment infrastructure.

LG Display (LGD) is increasing its investment to upgrade its OLED plant in Guangzhou, China, with plans to build the world's first dedicated 111-inch OLED module production line. The move targets the premium TV and commercial display markets, expanding customers' choices with ultra-large displays and strengthening LGD's product competitiveness.

French automaker Peugeot has unveiled the all-electric RCZ Vision concept sports car with two transparent microLED displays in the cockpit, supplied by AUO. The screens showcase a new-generation vehicle interior by serving as the driver information display and center console screen.

Apple's first touchscreen Mac reverses a design stance the company defended for more than a decade and is a premium-priced test of whether touch and tandem OLED can lift Mac demand in a shrinking PC market, with Samsung Display reportedly supplying all the panels.

Chinese smart-glasses maker Rokid unveiled its full-color AI glasses, Rokid Color, in Hangzhou on October 27, alongside the second-generation Rokid Glasses 2 and the Rokid Ring smart interaction wearable. The Rokid Color features a full-color microLED optical engine and is available starting at CNY4,999 (US$750).

South Korean OLED material specialist SFC will continue supplying blue host materials to Samsung Display (SDC) for the OLED material stack used in Apple's upcoming MacBook Pro, according to filings submitted for its planned KOSPI initial public offering (IPO). However, rival suppliers have captured the blue dopant business for both tandem layers in SDC's third-generation IT material stack.

The panel display supply chain's transformation marathon continues as companies begin a week of investor briefings centered on new businesses. CoreIntelligence (CiHC), AUO, Radiant, BenQ Materials and E Ink will present in succession, with transformation progress remaining a key market focus.

Ennostar Holdings is expanding into optical communications as Micro LED and Micro VCSEL products move into customer sample-validation stages. The company expects the business to enter substantive growth in 2027, supported by potential demand for short-distance transmission, active optical cables, and emerging co-packaged optics architectures as industry bandwidth requirements continue rising.