Samsung SDI has been in the polarizing film business since acquiring Ace Digitech in 2007, primarily supplying to TV makers like it’s alpha sibling Samsung Electronics. At one point, the company had an 11.4% market share in polarizing films, making it the third biggest company globally. As we all know, the profitability of this segment has declined due to competition from lower-cost Chinese manufacturers and reduced demand, especially after Samsung Display’s exit from the LCD business.
According to reports out of Korea, Samsung SDI has announced its decision to sell its polarizing film business to China’s Wuxi Hengxin Optoelectronic Materials for 1.12 trillion won ($836.47 million). This sale includes the manufacturing and sales operations of polarizing films in Cheongju and Suwon, South Korea, as well as the company’s full stake in its overseas subsidiary in Wuxi, China. other South Korean companies like LG Chem and SKC are also divesting from the polarizing film market.
Samsung SDI plans to shift its focus toward more profitable areas within its electronic materials division, such as semiconductor materials, OLED materials, and battery materials, aiming to leverage these technologies to strengthen synergies with its core battery business. The sale also reflects the growing competition from China, not only in display technology but also in battery production, where companies like CATL and BYD are expanding their market share.
