Denka, a Japanese chemical firm, has announced a strategic investment in Plano, Texas-based startup Ares Materials, through a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) fund co-managed with Pegasus Tech Ventures. The main driver tor the investment seems to be the development of eco-friendly, high-performance optical films for flexible display technology.
Ares Materials specializes in enethiol-based optical films that employ a UV curing process free of organic solvents, heat, or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). This process supports environmental goals by reducing CO2 emissions. Denka’s investment targets joint development opportunities, combining its Hardloc OP Series enethiol adhesives with Ares Materials’ optical films to enhance display capabilities.
Denka’s Mission 2030 initiative, which includes approximately $100 million in CVC commitments through 2030, emphasizes investments in sustainable and high-functioning materials.
Ares Materials will continue its operations in design, development, and sales from its Texas headquarters. Pylux OS1, developed by Ares Materials as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional display materials like Triacetyl Cellulose (TAC) is proprietary technology for the company. The production process for Pylux OS1 can be optimized to reduce emissions by reusing substrates or eliminating them altogether, which could bring emissions close to zero.
Its manufacturing process emits only 0.02 kg CO2 per square meter, compared to TAC’s 150.8 kg CO2/m². This reduction is due to a simplified UV-based manufacturing process that avoids energy-intensive steps like solvent evaporation and high-temperature treatments.
TAC production involves hazardous chemicals like hydrochloric acid and acetone, which generate significant chemical waste. Pylux OS1’s solvent-less chemistry eliminates the need for these materials, thereby reducing environmental risks.
Ares Materials claims Pylux OS1 outperforms TAC in flexibility, sustaining over 200,000 bending cycles compared to TAC’s 150,000.
