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In advanced manufacturing sites such as those for batteries and displays, a process called 'compression bonding' is commonly seen, where products are physically pressed to increase density or adhere components. At this stage, how uniformly pressure is applied determines the final quality of the product.
Venture company Kite Tronics has developed an electronic pressure-sensitive film (pressure distribution measurement sensor) system that measures and digitizes the flatness and uniformity of pressure applied during the compression bonding process in real time.
Recently, Kite Tronics succeeded in advancing its electronic pressure-sensitive film system to the verge of mass production at Yangsan, securing 2 billion won in Series A investment from ID Venture and IBK Industrial Bank of Korea. Including this latest investment round, Kite Tronics' cumulative investment total stands at 3 billion won.
The primary market target for Kite Tronics is the secondary battery sector. In secondary batteries, physical pressure is applied to cells during the final 'activation process' to perform charge and discharge cycles, thereby achieving electrical characteristics. Precisely measuring pressure uniformity at this stage allows for effective control and release of gas generated inside the cell, leading to improved battery stability and yield.
However, the measurement of pressure uniformity in the activation process has largely relied on analog methods using film-type pressure-sensitive paper so far. This is because digitizing surface-level pressure distribution data with digital pressure sensors has been challenging. Kite Tronics aims to solve this problem with its electronic pressure-sensitive film, achieving the final digital transformation of the activation process.
Investors are also placing high expectations on Kite Tronics' progress toward mass production at Yangsan. Min Gyeong-sik (Team Lead) of ID Venture, which conducted follow-up investment after the pre-Series A round in 2023, stated, "During the 2023 pre-Series A round, we were still in the phase of exchanging requirements with customers and on-site teams," adding, "Now, three years later, we have met most customer requirements through R&D."
What customers demanded was the heat resistance and durability of the electronic pressure-sensitive film. Team Leader Min said, "Kite Tronics has succeeded in developing high-heat-resistant electronic pressure-sensitive films capable of withstanding temperatures above 150 degrees Celsius, among other achievements. This means we have created products that meet customer requirements and are now ready for Yangsan production."
Investors also highly evaluated the market expansion potential of Kite Tronics' electronic pressure-sensitive film. Team Leader Min emphasized, "Until now, Kite Tronics lacked business points beyond secondary batteries," noting, "However, we have now succeeded in diversifying applications to include displays, semiconductors, robot grippers, and healthcare sectors that sense pressure in shoes and beds."
In particular, the display sector is the next target market after secondary batteries. The display manufacturing process includes a 'lamination' process where polarizing films or panels are pressed and adhered using pressure. Since proper pressure measurement is crucial for improving panel quality, demand is expected to be significant.
Kite Tronics' revenue last year was 2.5 billion won. Team Leader Min stated, "Revenue has already been generated, but the anticipated Yangsan production revenue must be much larger than current levels," adding, "We expect that in about two years, we will receive large-scale Yangsan orders, leading to substantial revenue growth."
Kite Tronics plans to concretize its expansion into the robotics sector through tactile and pressure-sensing technologies suitable for the physical AI era, leveraging this investment. In the robotics field, Kite Tronics has previously undertaken R&D projects including robot grippers that control grasping via tactile sensing and safety outer shells for robots that detect user collisions.
Kite Tronics CEO Jang Wook stated, "Through this investment round, we will strengthen our production capabilities and successfully establish ongoing customer Yangsan projects," adding, "We will expand our business into new fields such as displays and robots while creating new growth opportunities in secondary battery safety areas, including early detection sensors for thermal runaway in electric vehicle batteries."
[MoneyToday Startup Media Platform Unicorn Factory]
in FUTURE
