Kodak, one of the pioneers of OLED technology, on Monday said that it would sell substantially all the assets associated with its OLED business to a group of LG Electronics companies, a company that only relatively recently started to see value in the new type of displays. Kodak admits that the reason to sell off its OLED business was inability to make appropriate investments into R&D and manufacturing.

“As we said earlier this year, OLED is one of the businesses we wanted to reposition to maximize Kodak’s competitive advantage at the intersection of materials and imaging science. This action is consistent with that strategy. Our OLED intellectual property portfolio is fundamental; however, realizing the full value of this business would have required significant investment,” said Laura G. Quatela, Kodak’s chief intellectual property officer and manager of the company’s OLED business.

This move will tighten Kodak’s investment focus and strengthen its financial position. Kodak will have continuing access to its OLED technology for use in its products. Subject to customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Kodak has been a pioneer in developing technology associated with OLED displays. In the 1970s, Kodak scientists developed the world's first viable OLED material.

Tags: Kodak, LG, LG Electronics, OLED, Business