ㅇ Set to challenge DuPont’s monopoly in fluoride film for solar cells worldwide
ㅇ Aims to attain 190 billion won in sales in 2012 to secure 15% of world market
ㅇ World’s first maker to collectively produce three types of film for solar cells

◇ Enters solar cell film materials business in earnest

SKC (President Park Jang-seok) is advancing into the solar cell film market in earnest. SKC said on February 4 that it simultaneously completed the development of fluoride film and EVA sheet, which are used as core materials for solar cells, and began their mass production at its Suwon plant. DuPont of the U.S. has been monopolizing the fluoride film market for decades, while Japanese producers have been dominating the global EVA sheet market.

Adding to its line of polyester film for solar cells (for back sheet), which it has already been mass-producing, SKC has now secured technology and production facilities to churn out fluoride film and EVA sheet. In the wake of the launch of mass production, the company plans to continue investments in the solar cell film materials business to attain 190 billion won in sales from solar cell film in 2012, which would secure it a 15 percent share of the world market.

◇ World’s first to collectively produce three types of solar cell film

President Park Jang-seok said, “SKC has become the world’s first company to collectively supply the three types of film used in solar cells, re ing our status as a top-class international film producer,” stressing that SKC would cultivate the solar cell business as its future growth industry.

In Korea, ample investments have been made primarily in the poly silicon and solar power plant installation sectors thus far. But it was difficult for Korean firms to begin production and supply of film material for solar cell modules, an intermediate material for solar energy, due to the monopolistic technological hegemony of leading companies overseas. SKC’s domestic production of all solar cell film material will not only help ease supply shortages of the product in the industry, but will also supplant the import of solar cell core materials (for which Korea depended entirely on Japan), a development that will help boost the competitiveness of the Korean solar cell industry. In addition, chances are high that SKC will start exporting the product to Germany, Japan, and China, which are home to world-renowned solar cell producers.

◇ SKC to develop solar cell film business as new engine of growth

President Park Jang-seok said, “The business environment is uncertain amid the global economic recession; but in order to cultivate the sector as a new growth engine, we will make aggressive investment in the solar cell film material business, which holds huge growth potential over the long-term.” A SKC source said, “SKC’s ample experience and know-how as one of the world’s top four polyester film producers has spawned a synergistic effect in the development of new products in the solar cell film business.” The official noted that the company will aggressively push for early expansion of facilities in tune with the growth of the solar cell industry.

◇ Market to grow 30% per year to hit 1.2 trillion won in 2012

In the area of solar cells, fluoride film, EVA sheet, and PET film are generally used as core materials. The solar cell film market is projected to expand at an annual average of 30 percent from 420 billion won in 2008 to 1.2 trillion won in 2012 in tune with the expansion of the overall industry. SKC was the first company in Korea to develop fluoride film -- a core material for solar cells, -- a niche traditionally dominated in the world market by the U.S. company DuPont. Demand for the product, which currently comprises a 100 billion-won market worldwide, is expanding by more than 30 percent per annum. Also, EVA sheet is currently used as a sealing material for solar cells; this sector, with its 270 billion won global market, is dominated by Japanese companies, including Mitsui and Bridgestone, but product supply is running short amid 30 percent-plus annual growth in demand.