As part of the alliance the companies will share resources to develop integrated manufacturing equipment for printed organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays.

Both companies have agreed to pool together the necessary elements, such as materials, technology and equipment, in order to mass-produce the displays and bring OLED technology into the large-size display arena and, ultimately, make them cost-competitive with LCDs.

The two technology companies have already undertaken a number of joint venture projects over the past three years, which has incorporated Screen's unique nozzle printing technology that allows the accurate printing of OLED materials at high speed.

Yoshinari Yaoi, corporate senior executive officer and president of the FPD Equipment Company at Dainippon Screen, said: "The alliance could be the key for manufacturers to be able to produce affordable, high-quality, larger-sized OLEDs."

David Miller, group vice president of DuPont electronic and communication technologies, added the alliance would help "bring to market the core technology that will enable improved high definition televisions and other flat panel displays".