[Edaily Reporter Park Jung-Soo ] As the foldable smartphone market expands—driven by SamsungElectronics’ increased production of the “Galaxy Z Fold 8” and Apple’s preparations to launch its first foldable device— ICH Co., Ltd.(368600), a supplier of related materials, is expected to benefit.
According to industry sources on the 28th, SamsungElectronics is moving forward with a plan to increase the annual production volume of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 by 1 million units from the current 2.8 million. It is reported that ICH Co., Ltd. is taking steps to respond to the increased production, including preparing for additional production of key materials currently supplied to the Fold 8.
The Fold 8 is said to have accounted for a significant share of pre-orders following its launch. The company expects that supply volumes of related materials will also increase in line with the rise in finished product production.
The company is also expanding its product portfolio. ICH Co., Ltd. has begun supplying electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding gaskets and polyurethane (PU) foam to SamsungElectronics’ “Galaxy FE” series. By broadening its supply base to include the FE lineup—which has relatively high sales volumes—following its supply to foldable devices, ICH Co., Ltd. plans to expand its revenue base from materials supplied to SamsungElectronics.
The company has also entered Apple’s supply chain. ICH Co., Ltd. is mass-producing and supplying ultra-precision cushioning materials based on polyethylene (PE) foam for Apple’s first foldable device, which is currently in development. By supplying materials to both SamsungElectronics and Apple’s foldable devices, the company has established a supply base within the foldable value chain of major global smartphone manufacturers.
Due to their folding structure, foldable smartphones have limited internal space and undergo repeated bending and unfolding, making precision materials for shock absorption, electromagnetic shielding, and heat dissipation critically important. Multiple types of precision materials are applied to a single finished product, including around the hinge.
ICH Co., Ltd. is expanding the material technologies it has secured in the mobile sector to other industries. The company recently began mass-producing and supplying PU foam for humanoid robots and has also developed and supplied flame-retardant PU foam for energy storage systems (ESS). Its strategy is to diversify its mobile-centric business structure into the robotics, automotive, and energy sectors.
An ICH Co., Ltd. official stated, “We are supplying precision materials in response to SamsungElectronics’ production increases and lineup expansion, as well as Apple’s preparations to enter the foldable device market,” adding, “Based on our supply experience with major global clients and our material technology capabilities, we will respond to the growth of the foldable device market while also expanding our achievements in new business areas.”