Konica Minolta 2015 Annual Report Download - page 51

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Expected growth of new functional film business
(Billions of yen)
these panels are being recognized for the new value they provide
in being thin, light, and bendable—characteristics not seen in
conventional light sources.
As a result, fiscal 2014 revenue for the segment increased 5%
year on year to ¥60.9 billion (¥60.9 billion based on IFRS).
In fiscal 2015, along with continuing to satisfy market demand
with TAC films, we will further solidify our business base through
expanded efforts involving peripheral industries. At the same time,
we will look at bringing new products to market−including window
films and barrier films−in order to make the fiscal year a
springboard from which to develop businesses that will become
cornerstones of the Company, following TAC films. The above
factors contribute to a fiscal 2015 segment sales forecast of ¥62.0
billion (based on IFRS), a 2% year-on-year increase.
QWP film: emulating unpolarized light to show
device screen colors as they normally appear
As people increasingly use their smartphones and tablets outdoors, people
are beginning to see a problem in how images on these screens can appear
darker or discolored when viewed through polarized sunglasses. Konica
Minolta has developed QWP film in response. Used on displays, this film
emulates unpolarized light, allowing people to see the colors of images on
device screens as normal even when wearing polarized sunglasses. The
roll-to-roll manufacturing method can be used to produce the polarizing
plates, dramatically improving polarizing plate manufacturer productivity. A
mass production system will be built in the spring of 2016, with further
expansion to follow.
• Growth strategies
High-quality TAC film born from long-cultivated technologies for
manufacturing photographic base film is the engine driving growth
in this field. It is used to protect polarizing plates, a constituent
material of LCD screens used in everything from LCD TVs to
computers to smartphones, and there has been a steady demand
for these products.
Phase 0 will focus on achieving substantial TAC film sales
growth. Developments that include the emergence of 4K
televisions are expected to prompt a continued increase in TV
sizes. Total manufactured display area should continue to increase
with growth remaining strong in the market for small- to medium-
sized displays. This should result in more film being used. Although
we predict there will be greater competition with respect to things
such as pricing, we will focus on providing greater added value in
order to satisfy our customers’ expectations concerning quality
and survive the competition.
In Phase 1, efforts will focus on new areas of business that
are cropping up as displays find use in more and more
applications. This will involve expanding the range of TAC film
application by leveraging the many connections we have
developed with our customers to provide new value. One example
of this is investing technologies, expertise, and resources into
automobile window films that provide heat insulation and high
polarization performance, as well as QWP films used for device
screens, which are easier on the eyes and allow people wearing
polarized sunglasses to see screen colors as they normally appear
by emulating unpolarized light (see expected growth in the figure on
the right).
In Phase 2, we will begin full-scale efforts to market solutions
involving OLED lighting, which use organic materials that emit light
when voltage is applied. We will focus on a wide range of
applications including construction materials, automobiles, and
mobile devices, making the most of their strengths: being
lightweight, thin, and flexible; emitting light across the entire
surface; and consuming very little power.
By refining material technologies unique to Konica Minolta, we
will focus on creating new key business areas in the performance
materials field.
Roadmap for growth
Phase 0
TAC film New functional film
for displays
New functional film
and materials business
Window film
OLED lighting
Phase 2Phase 1
(FY)
20162014 2018
5.0+
10.0
+
12.5
Phase 2
New functional films
Phase 1
•QWP film (for polarized
sunglasses)
•Expanded range of
application
Focused Topic
With QWP film
How images appear
With PET film
With no film
50
KONICA MINOLTA, INC. Annual Report 2015
Foundation for GrowthBusiness StrategiesGrowth StrategyCompany Overview and Characteristics Financial Report