[THE INVESTOR] LG Electronics, which has struggled to elevate its smartphone sales for years, is said to have recently jumped into developing foldable display possibly to adopt it for its future mobile devices.

The Electronic Times reported on July 21 that LG Display, the Korean tech giant’s sister display-making unit, has started its own foldable display development following last year’s setting up of a related task force team. 

Citing unnamed sources, the daily said LG’s foldable smartphone can be used like a tablet when unfolded and become a smaller device when folded.

LG Display recently signed a licensing deal with Canada’s IGNIS Innovation to share organic light-emitting diode circuit technology. Even though the company didn’t reveal the specifics, industry watchers predict it could be used for foldable display.

Early this year, the company started installing production equipment for the sixth-generation plastic OLED at its E5 plant in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. Its operation is expected to start in the first half of next year.

LG Display declined to confirm the project.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)