SK IE Technology Launches Full-Scale Commercial Production of FCW for Foldable Phones

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] SK IE Technology, a materials business subsidiary of SK Innovation, has begun commercial production of Flexible Cover Window (FCW), a material for flexible displays. SK IE Technology constructed this factory in Jeungpyeong, Chungcheongbuk-do at the end of last year.

FCW is SK IE Technology's exclusive brand name. It is a product made by hard coating transparent polyimide (CPI), which is similar in form to smartphone screen protector films, to enhance durability. It is a material attached to display surfaces that can be folded, rolled, or curved, such as foldable phones, rollable TVs, and curved monitors.

It protects the panel from easily breaking even when the screen is touched by hand or subjected to external shocks such as drops. It is an essential material especially for foldable phones that require frequent screen contact and repeated folding and unfolding.

SK IE Technology was recently selected as an FCW supplier by a global smartphone manufacturer and will start supplying from this month. The company won the order by being recognized for its FCW manufacturing technology optimized for foldable phones.

SK IE Technology is the only company in Korea capable of independently handling the entire process of FCW production, including ▲basic raw material synthesis ▲transparent polyimide film manufacturing ▲special hard coating to enhance durability and prevent scratches ▲functional coating that prevents fine scratches and fingerprints on the surface and maintains stability even when exposed to chemicals.

Based on this technological capability, SK IE Technology explained that it was selected as a supplier due to high scores in ▲durability that prevents scratch marks from easily forming on the surface ▲bending reliability that does not deform even after hundreds of thousands of folds ▲mass production capability that ensures uniform quality during large-scale manufacturing.

No Jae-seok, CEO of SK IE Technology, said, "Being able to supply FCW, a flexible display material for a global smartphone company, is the result of the deep change pursued by the SK Innovation group and proves SK IE Technology's manufacturing technology and mass production capability." He added, "We plan to contribute to the development of the rapidly growing flexible display industry by leveraging our advanced quality and grow together."

Meanwhile, the main reinforced materials currently used for foldable phone screens are largely transparent polyimide and ultra-thin tempered glass (UTG). Transparent polyimide excels in durability, while ultra-thin tempered glass has the advantage of relatively better surface touch sensitivity.