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Create a New Era, Open up the Future

NEG has spent many years in the pursuit of the possibilities offered by glass. Unique forms of glass-ceramics are among the results. In recent years, the application range for glass-ceramics has expanded considerably. The newly developed ultra-thin sheet glass totally exceeds conventional expectations of what is possible with glass. In order to meet the requirements of this rapidly growing market, we are committed to the development of technology with an eye to the future, from process technology through the development of applications.

Ultra-thin sheet glass

Ultra-thin sheet glass is extremely thin, with a thickness of 200 µm (0.2 mm) or less—it is an innovative kind of glass that transcends conventional ideas of what is possible with this material. It is expected to be used in various fields, including next-generation displays, new types of lighting, and energy.

A history of the development of ultra-thin sheet glass

NEG is making continuous efforts to produce larger and thinner substrate glass. Since it started manufacturing substrate glass for LCDs in 1974, NEG has adopted the rollout process, the redrawing process, and the slot down process to meet the needs of the market for high-quality glass. NEG established the overflow process in 1999 in line with the increase in market demand for LCDs. Currently, we are working toward the manufacture of larger and thinner sheets of glass, including LCD substrate glass.

Overflow processThe surface of glass formed using the overflow process is touched by nothing but air during the manufacturing process. Therefore, even without being polished, it can attain an extremely smooth surface that is impossible to achieve with a metal or plastic plate. Moreover, the overflow process allows for thickness control in micrometers and provides a very smooth glass surface.

In line with the development and expansion of the LCD market, there is increasing demand for higher-quality substrate glass for LCDs as large as 3 meters square. Accordingly, we have been improving the overflow process. By applying manufacturing technology for LCD substrate glass, NEG has succeeded in manufacturing ultra-thin sheet glass that is even thin enough to be rolled up.

Potential of ultra-thin sheet glass

Being glass, ultra-thin sheet glass has different properties from resin films. Needless to say, it is far superior to resin films, particularly in terms of thermal stability, gas barrier property, and weather resistance.

Excellent properties of glass, Ultra-thin sheet forming

Ultra-thin sheet glass is made of alkali-free glass, which is used as substrate glass for TFT (thin film transistor) LCDs requiring thermal and chemical stability. Considering the good workability of thin glass in addition to the above properties, ultra-thin sheet glass has unlimited potential as a transparent, heat-resistant film material.

Ultra-thin sheet glass folded in the middleUltra-thin sheet glass rolled into a cylinder

Extremely thin glass is also beneficial to the environment. Such thin glass offers various advantages: a reduction in raw material usage, implementation of a lean and continuous manufacturing process (called a “roll-to-roll” process), improved efficiency of transportation, and reduction in waste generation. We aim to expand the use of ultra-thin sheet glass in the market and consequently contribute to resource savings and environmental conservation.

Applications of ultra-thin sheet glass

Ultra-thin sheet glass has many possible applications in a variety of electronic devices. Examples of these applications include OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) displays, OLED lighting equipment, substrates for semiconductor devices such as solar batteries, sealing materials, and packaging materials for devices. All such use requires physical and chemical stability. In this respect, properties such as the gas barrier, weather resistance, and surface flatness of ultra-thin sheet glass are extremely useful. We intend to take advantage of these strengths to expand the market.

[ Applications of ultra-thin sheet glass ]

OLED panel under developmentLithium-ion secondary battery

 

Glass-ceramics

NEG has devoted many years to the development of glass-ceramic materials. Our unique products range from the super heat-resistant glass-ceramic “Neoceram” to “Neopariés” glass-ceramics for architectural applications. In recent years, glass-ceramics are increasingly applied to components for optical and electronic devices. In short, glass-ceramics offer nearly immeasurable potential.

Glass-ceramics are made from special glass which lacks an intrinsic crystalline structure. By thermal processing followed by crystallization, the glass forms crystals and creates a completely new hybrid material of glass and crystal, which offer properties combining the qualities of both.

Applying glass-ceramic technology, NEG has produced various new materials, including super-heat-resistant glass that is transparent and features zero thermal expansion, white-colored glass-ceramic materials with low thermal expansion, and building materials with unique textures.
These new materials are being used not only in home appliances and building materials, but also in products in our everyday lives, such as display devices and electronic components in which the unique characteristics of glass-ceramics are put to optimal use.

University-industry collaboration with the University of Shiga Prefecture

The ability to use knowledge gathered outside the company is desirable for the efficient development of products and processes in new fields. To this end NEG has concluded a comprehensive university-industry collaboration agreement with the University of Shiga Prefecture. In addition to the proactive interchange of personnel and exchange of research information, we are currently planning and carrying out collaborative operations for the purpose of cultivating and interchanging talented personnel. Such efforts include joint research and technology exchanges related to technological development and new technologies in the glass engineering field.

We believe that this interchange of intellectual and manpower resources will drive the development of industry and bring about educational progress, opening the door to further advances in technological development.

Technological development for the future

As a step towards the future, NEG is optimizing an organizational structure that enables development of new products and fields without restriction to traditional frameworks. We are constantly expanding our horizons and working in new areas of innovation. These currently include processing methods, methods related to material composites, products that utilize the optical properties of glass, functions for glass-ceramics, and material synthesis for thin-films.