PI Advanced Materials, an Arkema affiliate, has been recognized for a breakthrough in ultra-thin polyimide film technology, winning the 2026 KPCA Industry Award for the world’s first mass production of 4µm polyimide film using an unstretched process.

 

The award recognizes the company’s development of a film that is roughly one-third the thickness of conventional 12.5µm polyimide film while maintaining comparable mechanical, thermal and adhesion performance.

 

Sanghak Lee, Gumi Production Team Leader at PI Advanced Materials, received the “2026 KPCA Proud PCB & Semiconductor Packaging Industry Award” at a ceremony held September 9 at Gyeongwonjae in Incheon. The award highlights his contribution to developing the mass-production technology behind the ultra-thin film.

 

Lee played a key role in overcoming the technical challenges involved in producing 4µm polyimide film at scale. Drawing on PI Advanced Materials’ expertise in polymerization, film casting and winding, he led the optimization of the T-DIE-based casting process and helped develop precision process-control technologies needed to commercialize the product.

 

The result was the successful commercialization in 2024 of the world’s first 4µm ultra-thin polyimide film produced through an unstretched process.

 

The technology marks a significant reduction in film thickness without sacrificing key performance characteristics. PI Advanced Materials said its 4µm film also delivers strong thickness uniformity and low, consistent loop stiffness, improving processability and opening the door to broader applications.

 

Potential applications span several fast-growing advanced industries, including flexible printed circuit boards, displays, semiconductor packaging and electric-vehicle batteries, where manufacturers are demanding materials that are lighter, thinner and capable of higher performance.

 

The achievement builds on PI Advanced Materials’ earlier success in mass-producing 5µm polyimide film and further strengthens its position in the ultra-thin film market.

 

The company said it will continue investing in differentiated material technologies and R&D to help customers develop high-value-added products and strengthen its competitiveness in the global advanced materials market.