Livicon

Livicon, established on January 15, 2014, operates as a specialized manufacturer in the advanced materials sector, focusing on Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Display (PDLCD) film. The company was brought into existence by a team of professionals, each possessing more than 15 years of dedicated experience in the research and production of PDLCD technology. A key figure in its inception is Jeon Young-jae, former president of Konkuk University, whose work in commercializing PDLCD technology earned him recognition as one of the world's top 100 scientists by the Cambridge International Biographical Centre. The company's leadership includes CEO Seo Yun-gyu.

The core of Livicon's business is the production and sale of PDLCD film, a type of 'smart glass' that transitions from an opaque state to transparent when an electrical current is applied. This technology serves as a dynamic privacy or shading solution. The company has distinguished itself by being the first to commercialize a photocurable PDLCD and implementing an innovative roll-to-roll mass production facility, a significant process advantage. Its product line is structured into three main categories: Normal Film, Glass Lamination, and a Self-adhesive version for retrofitting existing surfaces.

Livicon's business model is centered on manufacturing and supplying this specialized film to a diverse client base across various industries. A primary market is the automotive sector, where it secured a major supply contract in 2019 to provide its film for the sunroofs of a prominent German car manufacturer. Beyond automotive applications, the company targets the architectural and construction industries for use in office partitions, residential windows, and commercial spaces like hotels and medical facilities to provide on-demand privacy. Additional applications include advertising displays and consumer electronics, such as smart refrigerators.

The company's financial trajectory has been supported by multiple funding rounds. It secured initial investments in 2014 and received further backing from Capstone Partners between 2017 and 2019. A significant Series C funding round in November 2021 raised 15 billion KRW from investors including the Korea Development Bank, Vision Asset Management, and Vision Ventures, aimed at expanding production capacity to meet growing export demands. Based in Chungju, South Korea, Livicon has also announced plans for a future initial public offering.

Keywords: PDLCD film, smart glass, switchable film, automotive sunroof, privacy glass, liquid crystal display manufacturer, architectural glass, advanced materials, smart windows, roll-to-roll manufacturing, photocurable PDLCD, Jeon Young-jae, Seo Yun-gyu, construction materials, dynamic glass, electronic film, transportation technology, commercial building materials, variable light transmission