SKI Technology, a subsidiary of SK Innovation's materials division, has completed the construction of the Flexible Cover Window (FCW) production plant and is conducting trial operations.
SK Innovation related people said that "planned to achieve commercial production of FCW in November this year", and said that "at the latest start of mass production this year."
It is understood that FCW is a transparent polyimide (CPI) film module developed by SK Innovation for flexible (bent) displays. It debuted at the CES, the world's largest information technology (IT) exhibition, in Las Vegas this January.
This component, called Flexible Cover Window, is a transparent film that protects the display screen and can be used in new generation smartphone products. SK Innovation claims that after thousands of folding and bending, the surface is still flawless and scratch-resistant.
SK Innovation has been developing FCW based on polyimide (PI) film technology since 2006. In one year, the researchers conducted experiments on the durability and strength of seven optical films, and concluded that PI films are the most likely materials to replace glass. Since then, SKI started commercializing it in 2013 and completed the development of flexible display products at the end of last year.
According to Yin Haozhe, chief researcher of SK innovation FCW, "FCW is a very expandable material for future products. FCW includes the thin film and coating technology accumulated by SK innovation in the diaphragm business. The display that will break or leave folds not only uses special hard disk (HC) technology, but also uses functional coating technology to prevent fingerprints, pollution, etc. The company stated that it has ensured a high level of folding ( Flex) and strength. "
According to previous reports, SK Innovation invested 40 billion won in 2018 and decided to build an FCW production plant in the LiBs plant in Zongping, Chungcheongbuk-do, and plans to start commercial operations in October this year. Then, SKI completed the demonstration factory in the first quarter of this year, and display manufacturers participated in the development of foldable displays and conducted product verification.
It is understood that in May this year, SKC, which operates the same business as SK Innovation, submitted a trademark application TPI (transparent PI) for transparent polyimide film for smartphones, and SKC started construction in June last year in Chungcheongbuk-do. Sichuan's transparent PI film production plant will enter trial operation directly after completion next month.
In addition, Samsung Electronics recently launched its first foldable phone, the "Galaxy Fold", which has been sold out in succession, so it is expected that the transparent PI film market will also grow rapidly. In response, a person in charge of SK innovation said: "In view of the possibility of a sharp market expansion, we are discussing a plan to expand the second plant."