DIC Establishes Fine Chemical Technical Center Korea TFT LC Analysis and Evaluation Center

Tokyo, Japan–DIC Corporation announced that it has established the Fine Chemical Technical Center Korea, a technical facility tasked with the analysis and evaluation of thin-film transistor liquid crystals (TFT LCs), used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for televisions and other devices, in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Originally opened in February 2017, the facility commenced full-scale operations in April 2018 with the introduction of evaluation equipment, among others.

The DIC Group has cultivated a wealth of technologies and global experience in the area of TFT LCs for LCD televisions. In fiscal year 2016, DIC commenced production of TFT LCs in Japan, as well as in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), thereby creating a supply configuration that is also effective from a business continuity planning (BCP) perspective.

Despite declining sales volume for LCD televisions, demand for TFT LCs remains steady, underpinned by the rising popularity of large-scale televisions, as a result of which the size of displays continue to increase. At the same time, the flat panel display (FPD) industry has reached a major turning point, owing to the emergence of organic electroluminescent displays and the development of next-generation technologies such as quantum dots and microLEDs.

By establishing a technical center in the ROK, a major demand market, which continues to power cutting-edge innovation in the area of FPDs, DIC has positioned itself to capitalize on key trends, including the transition to 4K and 8K, and respond swiftly to customer requirements for increased resolution, higher brightness and a wider color gamut.

Under its current medium-term management plan, DIC108, now in its final year, DIC has positioned LCs as a business that it expects to drive growth in the years ahead. Accordingly, the Company will continue to leverage its technological prowess and product appeal with the aim of differentiating its offerings from those of new market entrants and expanding its market share.

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