Huawei’s Mate X foldable smartphone, set to launch in China next month, is said to use a transparent polyimide (PI) film made by Korean Kolon Industries.

The Mate X has an ‘out-folding’ design and Kolon Industries’ transparent PI is attached to the display in order to protects the screen.

Transparent PI offers resistance against heat and impact, while it remains flexible. It can can be folded or rolled up witout cracking.

Kolon Industries started its R&D process on transparent PI in 2006. According to Korean ETNews.com, Kolon Industries also supplied its transparent PI to Royole for its foldable Smartphone. However, Royole's foldable smartphone was n experiment, compared to the Huawei Mate X. Although the $1,700 Mate X will initially be released in China, it is not clear whether Kolon Industries will be able to suffuciently supply the required number of transparent PI elements.

Samsung also applied a transparent PI substrate supplied by Sumitumo Chemical to the Galaxy Fold.

Motorola’s upcoming foldable smartphone, which is expected to go public on the 13th of next month, is also said to use Kolon Industries’ transparent PI.