Foldable panel component partners such as Samsung Display and Se Gyung Hi Tech are seeking to take the lead in Apple’s foldable component supply chain. Apple is still discussing with domestic and foreign component suppliers about the supply of foldable components such as UTG and hinges, but the major component supply chain has not yet been finalized. If Apple is to release its first foldable product in the second half of 2026, it is expected that the foldable component supply chain will have to be concretized by the third quarter of this year at the latest.

Today we're learning that Se Gyung Hi Tech (name listed on the patent) and Samsung Display have jointly applied for a patent for a protective film and impact-resistant layer that can be used in foldable panels. This is the first time that the two companies have jointly applied for a patent.

According to The Elec, the patent for 'Display device and manufacturing method thereof' (application number: 1020230068432 see below) jointly applied by Se Gyung Hi-Tech and Samsung Display to the Korean Intellectual Property Office was published in December 2024. The patent application date is May 2023. The patent is published 18 months after application. The two companies also applied for a family patent for the patent in the United States and China. The patent applied for in the United States was published in November 2024.

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This technology can be applied to foldable panels. The two companies explained the effects of the invention, saying, "(The patent) includes a protective film, an impact-resistant layer, and a light-shielding layer." "The impact-resistant layer contains a polymer material, which improves the impact strength and makes it thicker, which also improves durability." They added, "The manufacturing process can be simplified by first forming the light-shielding layer on the protective film, and then directly coating the impact-resistant layer containing the polymer material on top of it."

Regarding the protective film and polymer material, it was stated that "the protective film may contain glass or polymer material," and "the polymer material may contain polyimide (PI), polyacrylate, PET (polyehtlyene terphtalate), etc., and these may be used alone or in combination."

Se Gyung Hi Tech is exclusively supplying Samsung Display with a protective film that is attached to the cover window Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) used in Samsung Electronics’ foldable phone. The protective film protects the UTG from external impact and supports functions such as anti-fingerprint and improved touch sensitivity. Samsung Electronics’ foldable phone panels are supplied by Samsung Display.