AU Optronics (AUO) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Japan-based Idemitsu Kosan for the development of OLED technologies and related applications, according to AUO.

Under the cooperation agreement, Idemitsu will offer high-performance OLED materials to AUO for the development OLED products and applications, including OLED panels for smartphone and tablet PC applications.

AUO is expected to begin volume production of 4.3-inch AMOLED panels for smartphone applications at its 3.5G and 4.5G lines in the second quarter, according to industry sources.