US firm may create up to 100 jobs at Clare plant

UDC Ireland, a subsidiary of Universal Display Corporation, which manufacturers organic light-emitting diodes technologies and materials, is to open a manufacturing site in Shannon, Co Clare, with the potential for up to 100 jobs.

UDC will establish the facility in partnership with US manufacturer PPG to produce its UniversalPHOLED materials.

The new facility will be designed to double the production capacity and diversify the manufacturing base for UDC’s phosphorescent emitters to meet growing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) market demand and industry requirements.

UDC has leased the Ireland site with the right to purchase. It will be located at what was the former Avara pharmaceuticals plant in the Shannon Industrial Estate.

The company will adapt the site to manufacture PHOLED emitters and will be operated by PPG. Facility improvements and regulatory approvals are expected to be completed in the next 12 months, and operations are scheduled to commence in early 2022.

Austin McCabe, general manager of UDC Ireland, said it would initially hire up to 30 employees. As the requirements grow and it gets to full capacity, it could have between 80 to 100 staff at the site.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for us,” he said. “The fact [is] we will be able to tap into the talented workforce within the area and employing some of the former employees that were on the site there.”