High performance films of various types and materials

Film manufacturers and processing companies

I   Perspectives of High-Performance Film Market

• Now is the time to plant a seed for attracting the "Next Market."
• The strength of Japan is to align rolled original materials with processing technologies to create synergy effects of the two.
• Japanese manufacturers should assemble total potential power of domestic films and converting abilities to create products that exceed conventional notions in order to exploit new market.
• Key to succeed planting of seeds is in "PDCA Strategies"

II   Analysis on PET Film Market

1. Analysis on PET Film Market

1. Sales growth of PET films for optical use by domestic manufacturers have dropped to only a digit level.
2. With the sharp drop of the film prices which stemmed from a series of market entrance by the local Chinese manufacturers, the imminent challenge for Japanese manufacturers is to find new market opportunity.
3. Japanese manufacturers are sure to develop another "cutting-edge" market using their advantage of aligning rolled original materials with processing technologies.
4. Films have started to being used in place of TAC and in other various fields, not limited to PET.
5. Enhancement of facilities by domestic and overseas manufacturers have settled in 2013.
6. The films with middle-level thickness, targeting TP parts materials, have expanded their capabilities.
7. The price of white PET films for backlights have largely fallen because of the new market entrance by the Chinese locals.
8. It is indispensable for TP parts materials to have higher quality, for instance, good thin-film quality in appearance, birefringent control, and heat-resistant shrinkage
9. There are advantages in Japanese manufacturers.

2. Protective Films

1. The market of the protective films for polarizing plates have become matured with no changes in the market share.
2. Mid-to-long term measures is required for improving price competition of Japanese products in this weak-yen-business environment.
3. Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd. and Sun A Kaken CO., Ltd. have decided to launch overseas production bases.
4. With reducing tendency of TP part materials, a protective film is expected to contribute as a carrier within some processes.
5. Development of heat-resistance grade is required in order to be available for sputtering and annealing process.

3. Release Films

1. Polarizing plates separators are growing steadily at annual 5%.  This market has become matured with no changes in the market share.
2. SKC Haas Display Films Company is making a landslide victory in the OCA release films
3. Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd., on the second place is expected to increase the sales after it launches the factory in Taiwan.

Company Profiles:

• Toray Industries (PET films)
• Mitsubishi Plastics Inc.
• Teijin DuPont Films Japan Limited  (PET films)
• TOYOBO CO., LTD
• SKC Co.,LTD
• TORAY ADVANCED MATERIALS KOREA Inc.
• KOLON　Industries,Inc.
• HONAM Petrochemical Corp.
• NANYA PLASTICS CORPORATION
• SHINKONG MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD.

III   Trends in Newly Developed, Noteworthy Films

• Potential of the Flexible Displays which are attracting attention due to emerge of wearable termnials.
• Films expected to take the place of glass
• It is important to grope the potential in the extensive areas and fields
• It is required to develop rolled original materials regardless of the environment or facilities and without making any loss.

1. Heat-resistant films
2. Highly hard films

IV   Perspectives and Strategies of Industrial High-Performance Film Manufacturers

• Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd.
• LG Chem,Ltd.
• OSUNG LST Co.,LTD
• YOULCHON CHEMICAL Co.,LTD
• ShinBright Optronics Corporation
• Koatech Technology Corporation
• SKC Haas Display Films Company
• TMS Co.,LTD
• UBright Optronics Corp..
• Teijin DuPont Films Japan Limited  (PET films)
• Toray Industries (PPS films)
• Sumitomo Chemicals, Co., Ltd.
• Primatec Inc.
• TOSOH CORPORATION
• Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
• KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD.