Korean media: BOE renovates Nanjing’s 8.5-generation LCD line to produce WOLED

On May 20, according to Korean media The elec, BOE is transforming its Nanjing B18 factory into a WOLED production line. B18 was originally an 8.5-generation LCD production line, and BOE is transforming it to have the production capacity of WOLED panels. It is reported that after the transformation is completed, the monthly production capacity of the production line will be approximately 16,000 to 18,000 pieces.

According to previous news, BOE has trial-produced WOLED on the 8.5-generation pilot line in Hefei. It is reported that BOE will supply a small amount of products for 24.5-inch displays to Asus this year, marking the first time that a Chinese company has achieved mass production of OLED display panels. This investment in the Nanjing B18 factory is regarded as a follow-up measure to achieve commercialization after pilot supply. The industry interprets this move as BOE’s next strategic plan to enter the IT market such as monitors after notebook computers.

WOLED achieves color by applying color filters to a white OLED light source, a technology that has previously been used by LG Display in large-size OLED TV and display panels. Companies such as LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics purchase these panels to produce finished TVs.

Judging from production capacity data, there is still a big gap between the scale of BOE WOLED and Korean companies. According to reports, LG Display’s monthly production capacity of large-size OLED is 90,000 pieces, while Samsung Display’s monthly production capacity of QD-OLED is approximately 48,000 pieces. In terms of the display market alone, even if Samsung Display uses one-third of its monthly production capacity of 48,000 pieces (i.e. 16,000 pieces) for display production, its annual production capacity will be about 4 million units.

According to the latest data from market research company TrendForce, in the first quarter of 2026, ASUS's market share in the field of OLED displays reached 24%, Samsung's 16.4%, MSI's 12.2%, AOC/Philips's 12.1%, and LG Electronics' 9.1%.

Overall, although the first quarter of 2026 is the off-season for the OLED display industry, and the peak promotional season of 2025 has released brand momentum ahead of schedule, global shipments fell by 11% quarter-on-quarter. However, from the perspective of annual growth, the annual growth rate of shipments in the first quarter is still as high as 78%, mainly due to the increasingly abundant supply resources of QD-OLED panels, which helps new brands continue to increase their volume and effectively fill the market vacancies.

According to reports, if BOE proves the commercial potential of WOLED displays by supplying Asus and accumulates mass production experience in the Nanjing production line, it is likely to add more investment.

An industry insider said: "Although BOE's Hefei production line is a pilot project, Nanjing B18 should be regarded as an important investment to ensure mass production capacity. Once Chinese panel companies determine that their customer base is solid and their business is viable, they will quickly increase investment. The wave of supply expansion that has occurred in the LCD market may be repeated in the OLED display market."