The Sumitomo Chemical Group Acquires a South Korean Wireless Communication Module Company to Expand Film Antenna Business

Mar. 18, 2025

The Sumitomo Chemical Group has acquired HUCOM WIRELESS Co., Ltd. (“HUCOM”), a South Korean wireless communication modules start-up company, through Dongwoo Fine-Chem Co., Ltd. (“Dongwoo Fine-Chem”), a subsidiary of the Sumitomo Chemical Group located in the country. With this acquisition, the Group will gain HUCOM’s advanced communication module design technology and market access. By leveraging these assets, it will accelerate the development and commercialization of film antennas that meet downstream needs.

There is an increasing demand for IoT as well as high-capacity and high-speed communication in the next-generation communications field, and the market for Beyond 5G-compatible antennas is growing rapidly. The demand for high-performance antennas, including film antennas for high-speed communication, is expected to reach 100 billion yen by the early 2030s.

By leveraging its circuit formation and precision multi-layer processing technologies developed through its color filter and touch screen sensor panel businesses, Dongwoo Fine-Chem has been working to develop film antennas—sheet-like antennas with ultra-fine metal wiring formed on film substrates—for use in such devices as smartphones for next-generation communication. Dongwoo Fine-Chem’s products excel in precise microfabrication and transparency, and the market for them is developing. In 2024, they were adopted for use in South Korea’s public transportation systems.

Established in 2016, HUCOM designs and sells network communication modules. The company has built a wide customer network in South Korea with its highly regarded module designs and control software that are used by major telecommunications companies in the country.

With the acquisition of HUCOM, Dongwoo Fine-Chem will be able to establish an integrated development system and value chain from film antennas to communication modules. By combining Dongwoo Fine-Chem’s and HUCOM’s technological development capabilities and business networks, the Sumitomo Chemical Group will accelerate product development, provide total solutions to meet increasing demand in a timely manner, and further expand its business in the area of information and communication technology.

The Sumitomo Chemical Group will continue to work towards achieving a smart society by developing and commercializing innovative communication devices and materials.

Overview of HUCOM WIRELESS Co., Ltd.

Company Name	HUCOM WIRELESS Co., Ltd.
Location	Gwangmyeong, South Korea
Established	2016
President	Un-hyeok BAEK
Business Activities	Design and sale of wireless communication devices

Contact

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications Dept.
https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/contact/public/