IMI ventures into sensor production in Japan

VIA optronics, IMI’s Germany-based subsidiary, specializes in interactive display solutions (screengrab from VIA’s website)

An overseas unit of Ayala-led Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. has teamed up with Toppan Printing Co. Ltd., a leading printing company in Japan, to set up a new sensor production facility in Higashiomi, Shiga prefecture.

The venture was created through German-based subsidiary Via optronics GmbH, a leading supplier of interactive display solutions, with core competence in the area of optical bonding for sunlight readability and robustness as well as high-performing touch-display modules.

Based on a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Via optronics and Toppan Printing have agreed to form the new joint venture company called VTS Touchsensor Co. Ltd. This will be done by transferring 65 percent of the shares of Toppan Touch Panel Products Ltd., which was newly spun off from Toppan, to VIA.

VTS will develop and manufacture the metal mesh touch sensors in Japan on the existing premises of Toppan.

VIA is seen to leverage its years of knowledge and experience of market requirements, system-level design and production in the automotive, consumer and industrial markets to support further development of the core sensor technology.

“Using the experience of both companies, VTS will provide game-changing metal mesh touch sensors to their existing and future customer base,” VIA chief executive officer Juergen Eichner said.

“The new set-up will also strengthen VIA’s portfolio of differentiated and value-added sensor technology for touch panels, touch-display modules, display head assemblies and interactive display systems across multiple markets and segments.”

Toppan is one of the largest Japanese and worldwide printing companies, with interests in commercial printing, publications, packaging, interior decor and industrial materials, clothing, precision electronic components, securities and business forms, compact discs and computer processing. As part of its electronics segment, it has developed and marketed touch sensors using copper-based metal mesh with low sheet resistance that achieve what is pitched to be an excellent touch performance and optical quality. It has also developed display-related business operations based on these sensors.