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FPD/PCB NEWS～December 27


Showa Denko to License Vinyl Acetate Monomer Technology to Asian Paints, India

Showa Denko (SDK) announced to license its technology to produce vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) to Asian Paints, a leading paint and decor company in India , under a formal alliance agreement between SDK and KBR, a global engineering and technology solutions company based in the U.S.. In addition, SDK will provide Asian Paints with catalysts to be used for VAM production.

VAM is a colorless transparent liquid used as raw material for wide-ranging products including adhesives and synthetic resins. SDK has been producing VAM at its Oita Petrochemical Complex for more than 40 years. As a part of the licensing package of this time, SDK will provide Asian Paints with its technical know-how about safe and stable operation of the VAM plant, which SDK accumulated through operation of many years, through KBR.

FPD/PCB NEWS～December 21


SCREEN Launches New Coater/Dryers for Producing Substrates Used in Flexible Displays

SCREEN Finetech Solutions (SCREEN FT) announced to develop two new coater/dryers for the production of substrates used in flexible displays. The SK-P1501G and SK-P2200G are respectively designed to handle 6th and 8th generation substrates and will join SCREEN FT's existing E series group of production systems for OLED panels. The company launched both models earlier in December.

The SK-P1501G and SK-P2200G inherit the main capabilities of the SK-P1500G, a system for 6th generation substrates that has built an impressive track record since its launch in 2016. The two newly released models are designed to handle coating of high-viscosity polyimide varnishes of several thousand mPa･s, allowing them to form the extremely thin films needed for flexible substrates.

The systems also dramatically improve throughput for mass production. They do this by making it possible to perform all processes from the cleaning of large-size glass support substrates to polyimide coating and drying on a single integrated line. Their coater section features an optimized version of the technology used in SCREEN FT's Linearcoater slit-type coating units, helping them to achieve outstanding uniformity for a range of film thicknesses.

In addition to conventional thick films, the systems are able to form thin films of just 5 μm, which will enable them to handle thickness requirements for substrates as flexible displays continue to diversify.

FPD/PCB NEWS～December 20


Kyocera Plans New Manufacturing Plant in Japan's Nagasaki Prefecture by 2026

Kyocera announced to build a new manufacturing plant in Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture, to advance its business expansion goals. The company has made an offer to acquire approximately 150,000 m2 in the Minami Isahaya Industrial Park.

FPD/PCB NEWS～December 19


Toppan Develops Black Light Control Film for Automobiles

Toppan announced to develop a new“Normal Black”grade of LC MAGIC, a liquid crystal light control film that changes from transparent to opaque with the flick of a switch.

LC MAGIC Normal Black is black with a visible light transmission (VLT) of 5% when power is off. Automobile windows and sunroofs using LC MAGIC Normal Black can therefore create a bright and open space when power is on, while ensuring privacy when power is off. This can eliminate the need for shades with motors or moving parts, improve comfort, and make vehicles lighter.

FPD/PCB NEWS～December 9


SCREEN Semiconductor Solutions renewed its joint development agreement with imec

SCREEN Semiconductor Solutions has renewed its joint development agreement with imec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, to develop advanced and sustainable technologies. Through this agreement, SCREEN will promote technological development that contributes to an ecological society through synergy between our expertise in wafer cleaning technology and imec's advanced semiconductor technology.

In over 20 years since joining imec's IIAP (imec Industrial Affiliation Program) in January 2002, SCREEN has expanded the scope of our joint development. In May 2022, SCREEN started affiliation with imec's new research program: "SSTS”, to reduce the environmental impact in the semiconductor industry.

　Under the new agreement, SCREEN and imec will jointly validate the concept and feasibility of our semiconductor manufacturing equipment (mainly for cleaning equipment and coater developers) to accelerate process development. In 2023, SCREEN plans to deliver our SU-3200 single-wafer cleaning system and dispatch engineers to imec for joint evaluation.