THE WOODLANDS, TX /Marketwire/ -- UniPixel Inc., a provider of performance-engineered films to the touch screen, flexible printed electronics, lighting, and display markets, has signed an agreement with Carestream Tollcoating for the manufacture and distribution of UniPixel's Diamond Guard protective cover films.
Carestream Tollcoating is a premium provider of high-precision contract coating services and optical-grade PET film, specializing in the application of aqueous and solvent coatings on flexible substrates for imaging, printed electronics, display, electronic component, nanotechnology, battery, and a variety of other flexible advanced material markets. Its global logistics network, with supply chain management and distribution capabilities in 56 countries, offers worldwide end-to-end service from high-precision coating through post-manufacturing.
"Our new partnership with a worldwide industry leader like Carestream Tollcoating affirms Diamond Guard films tremendous market potential," said UniPixel CEO Reed Killion. "Leveraging proven intellectual and manufacturing assets, Carestream Tollcoating brings more than 100 years of industry-leading innovation, as well as valuable knowledge and problem-solving expertise in solutions preparation, film manufacturing, converting, and packaging."
"Carestream Tollcoating is the ideal partner to bring this product line to the global market. Several dozen major electronic OEMs and ODMs are currently evaluating and testing Diamond Guard film, using product produced both in-house and during the Carestream Tollcoating–certification production runs," continued Reed. "Some evaluations have advanced to the submission of purchase orders for test piloting purposes, and we are focusing on production level shipments."
With certification completed, Carestream Tollcoating can offer production capacity of more than 100 million square feet a year. Diamond Guard film is based on UniPixel proprietary resins and Carestream Tollcoating's manufacturing, coating, and converting.
"UniPixel's Diamond Guard Film is a truly amazing product line, particularly Diamond Guard Hard Coat, one of the hardest coatings available on a flexible film," commented Rick Daniels, General Manager of the Carestream Advanced Materials and Carestream Tollcoating divisions. "We are honored to partner with UniPixel's innovative engineering team to bring it to market. Our legacy of process sophistication is a natural fit for UniPixel's production requirements. Combined with our exceptional quality PET film and global distribution capabilities, we are able to provide significant value as a trusted partner throughout Diamond Guard's entire product supply chain and go-to-market process."
About Diamond Guard
The Diamond Guard line of protective cover films includes finger print–resistant, anti-glare, and Diamond Guard Ultra Hard Coat versions. The newly introduced Diamond Guard Hard Coat material was designed as the hardest coating available on a flexible film, which can be rated up to 9H.
These premium-grade protective cover films offer exceptional performance characteristics in terms of visual aesthetics, scratch resistance, and bubble-free installation. They address a range of consumer markets and applications, from mobile and medical device protective covers to retail signage and the automotive aftermarket.
About Carestream Tollcoating
Carestream Tollcoating, a division of Carestream Health, Inc., is a premium contract coating services provider specializing in the application of aqueous and solvent coatings on flexible substrates for display component, battery component, membrane, medical devices, nanotechnology, imaging products and other flexible advanced materials. Its professional staff of engineers builds on more than 100 years of coating leadership to deliver a wealth of knowledge and problem-solving expertise in precision coating applications, fluid design and preparation, and converting and packaging. A choice of 35 different coating methods, extensive pilot coating assets and fluid design expertise make Carestream Tollcoating an ideal partner for product development and rapid scale-up of products.
Carestream Tollcoating's heritage of leadership in film-based technologies originated in Carestream Health's medical imaging business. The company's ability to exceed exacting healthcare standards sets it apart in the printed electronics market, and it has pioneered many innovative products that remain the gold standard today.
Carestream snapshot:
- 7000 employees worldwide
- 1150 field engineers and 250 customer support agents
- Sales, service, and support in more than 150 countries
- Distribution Centers in Asia, Europe, and the Americas
- Technology and innovation Centers in Shanghai, China; Genoa, Italy; Rochester, NY: and Raanana, Israel
- Customer training centers in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
About UniPixel
Headquartered in The Woodlands, TX, UniPixel Inc. delivers performance-engineered films to the lighting, display, and flexible electronics markets. UniPixel's high-volume, roll-to-roll or continuous flow manufacturing process offers high-fidelity replication of advanced micro-optic structures and surface characteristics over large areas. A key focus for UniPixel is developing electronic conductive films for use in electronic sensors for consumer and industrial applications. The company's newly developed UniBoss roll-to-roll electronics manufacturing process prints conductive elements on thin film, with trace widths down to approximately 5 µm. The company is marketing its films for touch panel sensor, cover glass replacement, protective cover film, antenna, and custom circuitry applications under the UniPixel label, and potentially under private label or original equipment manufacturers brands. UniPixel's brands include Clearly Superior, Diamond Guard, and others.