Doosan, Ionic Materials collaborate in liquid crystal polymer

Doosan Corp., the holding company of South Korea's Doosan Group, said on Monday that it has entered a joint development agreement (JDA) with US-based polymer manufacturer Ionic Materials. The partnership aims to explore applications of liquid crystal polymers (LCP) in advanced functional materials.

LCPs are unique polymers that display liquid crystal properties in a liquid state. They have gained prominence as new materials in industries such as electronics, telecommunications and aerospace, offering excellent insulation, dimensional stability, heat resistance and adhesion. As such, LCP can function effectively as bonding materials.

When applied to flexible copper-clad laminates (FCCL), LCP films eliminate the need for separate adhesive layers, making them suitable for thin chip packages and display drivers. Doosan highlighted the environmental benefits of LCPs and their ability to reduce signal loss at higher frequency bands, indicating their potential in next-generation communication equipment.

Doosan aims to finalize the development of LCP film-applied FCCL by year-end, targeting the market for next-generation mobile devices and 5G and 6G communications materials.

A company representative noted Doosan's ongoing efforts to improve copper-clad laminate products and develop advanced materials and technologies, such as PFC and 5G antenna modules.

The company plans to leverage its experience and expertise to identify new business opportunities and foster future growth engines.

Write to Jae-Fu Kim at hu@hankyung.com