WACKER & VIA Optronics Intensify Sales Collaboration in Optical Bonding

MUNICH -- WACKER, the Munich-based chemical Group, is expanding its sales collaboration with VIA optronics, a company that manufactures and enhances liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The two parties have signed an agreement to this effect. They plan to strengthen their cooperation in optical bonding and, in doing so, bundle sales and marketing activities. They have also agreed to share more knowledge in developing new products and processing technologies. WACKER has been supplying VIA optronics with highly transparent silicone gels since 2011. These kinds of silicones make it possible to manufacture low-reflection and energy-saving displays and touchscreens for mobile electronic devices.

VIA optronics has many years of experience in manufacturing and enhancing displays and is a pioneer in optical bonding. The company, which is based in Germany, specializes in reducing display reflections. These kinds of reflections can severely restrict the possible uses of LCDs. They are caused by a design constraint that requires a gap between the cover glass or touchscreen and makes it possible for reflections to occur. This can significantly impair the readability of the display, especially in direct sunlight.

The optical bonding process employed by VIA optronics largely eliminates reflections because it uses a transparent silicone gel to bond the full surface of the touchscreen to the LCD. Such bonded displays are not just more brilliant and readable. They also consume comparatively little power, because less energy is required to illuminate the display. In addition, the silicone bond offers protection against dust and moisture and increases the mechanical stability.

"WACKER and VIA optronics are both technology leaders in their fields. We contribute our knowledge of silicones and silicone gels while VIA optronics provides its optical bonding expertise. This result in numerous synergies for our customers," says Peter Summo, head of the Engineering Silicones business unit at WACKER. "Demand for low-reflection displays are rising all the time. Thanks to their brilliance, energy efficiency and ruggedness, these kinds of displays are more and more frequently found on mobile devices such as smartphones, measuring instruments and navigation devices."

For the optical bonding, VIA