Korea¡¯s traditional paint houses go high-tech

Korean aged painters are adding high-tech color by employing their coating expertise to electronic components and batteries.

Samhwa Paints leads the trend, registering 12 patents in 2021, mainly for paints and chemical technology. One of its registered patents is carbonate compound containing fluorosulfonyl, a new electrolyte additive for rechargeable batteries. Samhwa¡¯s fluorosulfonyl-contained carbonate compound can improve the lifespan of batteries used in electric vehicles and mobile phones, as well as battery charging and discharging efficiency. It also can be broadly used for fine chemical fields, such as pharmaceutical intermediates and organic solvents.

Samhwa has also advanced into other chemical businesses through the acquisition of chemical firms. It took over Daelim C&S in 2018, which produces electronic materials, pharmaceutical intermediates, and catalysts. In 2020, it acquired a mid-sized local producer of special tapes for flexible printed circuit boards used in displays and mobile devices, as well as protection films for mobile display parts.

Recently, Samhwa is committed to developing epoxy molding compound that is used to encapsulate semiconductor chips to protect them from heat and moisture. Korea relies heavily on Japan-made EMCs commanding an 87 percent share of the Korean EMC market.

Chokwang Paint is active in developing adhesives made from new materials, including adhesives for solar panels and polarizers for displays. The back sheet for solar cells is a thin multi-plastic film that covers the backside of the solar panel. Chokwang¡¯s adhesive is used to glue the films.

The paint maker has also developed an adhesive and polyurethane dispersion (PUD) used in fabricating a polarizer, a core part in a panel, which is made by stacking multiple layers of film. It also plans to invest in the development of heat dissipation adhesives for secondary batteries this year.

Noroo Paint & Coatings also actively explore new growth engines. Its parent company Noroo Holdings set up The Kiban in 2015 to advance in the seed business.

The affiliate focuses on the production and growth of seeds based on the DNA of crops that have survived harsh climate conditions. It established a research lab in Chiang Mai, Thailand to pioneer into international markets. It plans to expand into different regions of the world, including Southwest Asia, Africa, and Europe after its seed production system is prepared this year.

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