[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics on Nov. 23 confirmed its plans to acquire QD Vision, a Massachusetts-based quantum dot materials producer.

Samsung’s R&D unit chief Jung Chil-hee told reporters at Samsung Group’s weekly executive meeting that the company has decided to take over the assets of QD Vision.

While share acquisition gives the buyer control over business management, asset acquisition is aimed at taking over fixed assets such as machinery, buildings and land.

Earlier news reports said the deal could be worth US$70 million.

The latest acquisition comes as the Korean tech giant is pouring resources into quantum dot technology, which enhances picture quality of the current liquid-crystal display TVs by applying nanocrystals in the form of a film or filter on the panel.

Especially the futuristic self-illuminating quantum dot technology, dubbed QLED, is thought to be the next-generation alternative to organic light-emitting diode display.

Samsung rolled out its first quantum dot TV in 2015 and plans to produce QLED TVs from around 2020.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)