Liquidmetal Technologies (LQMT) LD Micro Main Event XIX Investor Conference summary

Company history and technology evolution

• Technology originated in 1962, commercialized in 1987, and went public in 2002 with Samsung as an early customer.

• Faced financial struggles post-IPO, secured a key licensing deal with Apple in 2010, and received a $63 million investment in 2016 from Professor Lugee Li.

• Yihao Metal, an affiliate, began mass manufacturing hinges for Chinese mobile devices in 2020.

• Plans to open a new manufacturing plant in Hangzhou, China, in 2026, aiming to scale production.

• Leadership under Professor Lugee Li has created a unique manufacturing ecosystem spanning China, the Americas, and Europe.

Technology and product advantages

• Amorphous alloy technology enables parts twice as strong as titanium, with superior hardness and tight tolerances.

• Parts are corrosion- and scratch-resistant, elastic, and can be produced as thin as 0.3 mm.

• Manufacturing process uses hybrid die-cast injection molding, allowing cost-effective, high-volume production.

• Competitive pricing ranges from $1–$10 per part, outperforming CNC machining and MIM in cost and precision.

• Holds about 40 patents, with ongoing investment in IP and proprietary manufacturing know-how.

Market focus and applications

• Key markets include mobile devices, medical devices, robotics, EVs, and consumer products.

• Medical applications include staple anvils, pacemaker housings, and surgical tools.

• Automotive and robotics parts supplied to Tesla and BYD; consumer products include rings, credit cards, earbuds, and watch bezels.

• The hinge for foldable devices is a flagship product, with a projected market growth from $1B in 2024 to $7B in 10 years.

• Customers include Apple, Samsung, Sony, Huawei, Vivo, Oppo, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Intuitive Surgical, Tesla, and BYD.