South Korean Eco-friendly Energy Solution ‘Difon’ Secures 12.4 Billion KRW in Series A Funding
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South Korean eco-friendly energy solution startup Difon announced that it has secured 12.4 billion KRW in Series A investment.
Participants in this investment round include Schmitz–DSC Future Mobility Fund, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, IBK, Dongwoo Fine-Chem, and Korea SMEs and Startups Agency. The total accumulated investment stands at 14.7 billion KRW.
Difon, which spun off from Hyundai Motors in June 2021, is a developer of smart window films. These films can be attached to the windows of vehicles and buildings, allowing users to adjust the degree of sunlight penetration. Compared to traditional shading methods, the film boasts superior ultraviolet blocking, insulation properties, and privacy protection.
Difon has established a diverse film lineup backed by 18 patented core technologies. Specifically, these include PDLC and VPLC films that adjust transparency with an electrical signal, energy-saving Low-E films, second-generation display privacy films, surface heating films, and energy-saving tinting films. In addition to these, Difon has built its own product manufacturing line, ensuring product quality and cost competitiveness.
Difon’s proprietary technology, VPLC (Variable Polarized Liquid Crystal), is garnering attention as a game-changer in the smart window film market. VPLC is a next-generation film optimized for shading in vehicles and buildings. It is clear in its regular state, requires low drive voltage, and allows for fine-tuned transparency adjustments. Furthermore, it has overcome the haze phenomenon that blurs the view when using smart films in driving a car.
With these core technologies, Difon plans to target the global smart window market. Given the significant energy-saving benefits of smart windows, the market size is projected to expand rapidly, supported by energy policies worldwide. According to the US market research firm Allied Market Research, the global smart window market is estimated to reach $8.97 billion (approximately 11.97 trillion KRW) by 2026.
Difon will use the newly secured investment to bolster research and development manpower, automate and quantify production processes, and establish production capabilities for various products. The goal is to mass-produce smart window films tailored for vehicles and buildings. Difon has previously conducted smart window technology demonstration(PoC) projects in collaboration with Hyundai Motors, Hoban Construction, and several other companies.
CEO Lee Seong-woo of Difon stated, “Through this investment, Difon has been recognized for its technical capabilities for the mass production of smart windows both domestically and internationally, and for its production capabilities for popularization.” He added, “We will continue to grow as a company that contributes to our society, from energy savings to privacy protection, through technology.”
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