Shinwha Intertek supplies optical films for Sony LCD TVs

Optical film company Shinwha Intertek has manufactured and supplied optical films for display to Japanese tech giant Sony.

This will be its first supply to Sony. It has previously supplied its films to Samsung Electronics and TCL.

Shinwha Intertek said on Tuesday that it held a ceremony to commemorate its supply to Sony. The optical films are used for liquid crystal displays (LCD).

Sony is a major player in the premium TV market. Shinwha said it is expecting meaningful sales increase from the supply deal. 

Optical films used in premium TVs use different materials and more difficult processes to manufacture compared to those used in conventional TVs. The unit price is also five to six times higher. The optical films are used to improve the luminance and color of the display.

A Shinwha Intertek spokesperson said the company expects large demand for displays from TV, monitor and tablets. The rise in remote services due to the pandemic and the upcoming Tokyo Olympics are also a boon for the display industry, they said.

Besides optical films for LCD, Shinwha also supplies tapes for organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panels. Optical films account for 80% of its sales. 

Shinwha Intertek is also attempting to supply OLED encapsulant to LG Display, a market dominated by LG Chem and Innox Advanced Materials.

Shinwha Intertek CEO Kim Hak-tae said the company has secured a foundation to expand its optical fim business, which was built on over twenty years of trust with TV manufacturers in South Korea and China. Kim said the company will also expand its OLED display tape line-up.