Core Viewpoint - The polyester film industry is facing challenges in achieving sufficient stiffness, which limits its applications in new displays, electric vehicles, and photovoltaic solar energy [1] Group 1: Technological Breakthroughs - Hefei Lekai Technology Industry Co., Ltd. has made significant advancements in high-end optical polyester films by addressing stiffness issues through molecular design [1][2] - The research team focused on three promising modified monomers: bio-based 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), rigid biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (BPDA), and rigid/polar 4,4'-dicarboxyphenyl sulfone (DPS) to enhance the molecular structure of traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [2] - The team developed a core formula after extensive experimentation with various molar ratios, emphasizing the importance of precise molecular design to achieve the desired stiffness and flexibility [2][3] Group 2: Production Process - The production process involved co-extrusion and biaxial stretching, where the precise layering of different melt compositions directly impacts the final film's stiffness and performance [3] - The team faced challenges in maintaining strict temperature and pressure controls during the esterification and polycondensation reactions, as even minor deviations could significantly affect the polymer's properties [3][4] - After overcoming numerous setbacks in formula design and process adjustments, the first successful roll of optical polyester film was produced, showcasing excellent rigidity [4] Group 3: Market Impact and Applications - The new technology has broken the monopoly of Japanese and Korean companies in the high-end polyester film market, significantly improving stiffness beyond industry standards [5] - The patented technology has been successfully applied to various series of optical polyester films, providing essential material support for domestic new displays, photovoltaic solar energy, and electric vehicle industries [5][6] - By the end of 2024, the cumulative production of products utilizing this technology is expected to reach nearly 150,000 tons, with a projected market demand of 60,000 to 80,000 tons per year [6]