Softcen announced on the 8th that it will supply core equipment for UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) and solar glass, as well as BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) production lines to Sochen Gagi in China.
Sochen Gagi is a glass substrate developer that succeeded in mass-producing UTG for the first time in China. The two companies have maintained a close cooperative relationship in the manufacturing sector for a long time. Softcen supplies core production line equipment and technical solutions to Sochen Gagi and delivered production equipment worth 20 billion KRW each in 2021 and 2022.
Sochen Gagi plans to establish a top-tier ultra-thin solar glass and BIPV integrated production line at its new factory in Tonglu, Jiangsu Province, China. BIPV generates solar power using fuel molecules adsorbed on nanoparticles and allows for various materials and color implementations. By using solar panels as exterior materials from the construction stage, it offers excellent aesthetics and cost savings in installation. According to market research firm Straits Research, the BIPV market is expected to grow to 135.4 billion USD (approximately 199 trillion KRW) by 2032.
Softcen will supply multiple high-precision processing equipment and intelligent automation systems planned for introduction at the new factory. As a core equipment supplier and major institutional investor of Sochen Gagi, Softcen is cooperating closely.
Softcen plans to fully support Sochen Gagi’s technological innovation and production capacity expansion in the fields of flexible displays and color solar glass. Along with this, it intends to continuously expand equipment cooperation centered on domestic and overseas production bases. It also plans to significantly broaden its customer base in high-growth markets in Asia, including China.
A company representative stated, “Recently, Sochen Gagi signed a strategic cooperation agreement with leading companies in China’s solar architecture sector, such as Yonggi Silicon Materials. Accordingly, our profitability and synergy effects are expected to expand further.”
Earlier in March, Softcen officially appointed Choi Go-un, a professional manager from Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor and display divisions, as Chief Operating Officer (COO). The new COO plans to oversee company-wide organizational restructuring and business optimization, focusing on improving management efficiency and profitability.
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