SKIET (SK IE Technology) will begin production of CPI covers (Cover windows) for foldable smartphones based on colorless polyimide (PI).
SKIET said on July 19 that the company has received orders from global smartphone manufacturers and will start supplying CPI covers this month. The CPI cover refers to a component attached to the upper end of the display screen to protect the screen from external impact. SKIET decided to deliver products with hard coating on CPI.
The specific customer and supply scale were not disclosed due to contractual reasons. But the company said: "The company's industrial surface is not prone to scratches, even if it is folded hundreds of thousands of times, it will not be deformed, etc., and it has received a high evaluation and was selected as a supplier."
SKIET staff are inspecting CPI products
This is the first commercialization of SKIET's transparent PI film. The company invested 40 billion yuan in the Zengping plant in Chungcheongbuk-do in 2018 and completed the CPI line at the end of last year. CPI has attracted much attention as the core material of the foldable smartphone era, so the company decided to enter this industry.
At present, Sumitomo Chemical, Kolon Industries, SKC, etc. have entered the colorless PI market. SKIET not only has basic raw material synthesis and CPI film manufacturing technology, but also has a special hard coating that enhances durability and prevents small defects or fingerprints on the surface. Sexual coating technology, with differentiated competitiveness.
Noh Jaeseok, the representative of SKIET, said: "The ability to supply smart phone manufacturers around the world proves SKIET's manufacturing technology strength and mass production capabilities", adding that "We will contribute to the rapidly growing flexible display industry with leading quality. "
SKIET is a specialized material manufacturer under SK Innovation and also produces battery separation membranes.