Panasonic and Sony end their one year OLED TV partnership due to technical difficulties, according to a report by Nikkei Asian Review. 

The partnership formed between the Japanese electronics manufacturers last June was aimed at developing mass-production methods for OLED panels. The plan was to integrate the two companies OLED technologies, using Panasonic’s printing organic material onto a substrate method with Sony’s OLED technology.

However, they were unable to make panels durable enough or cut production costs. The two companies have decided not to renew their partnership contract after the end of this year, and will develop OLED technology independently.

Another worrying sign of uncertainties in the OLED market has been Korean manufacturer Samsung recent announcement of reducing OLED production to focus more on the 4K UHD TV market, as reported by Business Korea lately. 

Nikkei Asian Review report noted Panasonic and Sony may have found high risks in commercializing OLED TVs at the moment, which will make it even more difficult for OLED technology to take off.