CAMBRIDGE, UK – How far is printed/flexible electronics along the road to widespread adoption? The emerging manufacturing methodology, which replaces etched copper laminate with printed conductive inks on flexible substrates, offers multiple benefits, including flexibility/stretchability, the potential for low-cost roll-to-roll production, digital manufacturing/rapid prototyping, and improved sustainability. However, while undoubtedly the established manufacturing method for a small range of applications, printed/flexible electronics currently comprise a very small proportion of the total electronics industry.

Arguably the biggest success story of printed/flexible electronics is OLED displays, which are now ubiquitous in smartphones and widely used in TVs. However, with a few exceptions, such as foldable smartphone displays, these are neither printed nor flexible - while the emissive organic semiconductors can be printed, they are typically evaporated since that process is far more reproducible.

If OLED displays and the few established applications such as automotive seat occupancy sensors and glucose test strips are excepted, the printed/flexible electronics industry broadly follows the classic hype curve often used to describe the adoption of emerging technologies. Although clearly a simplification that aggregates many individual technologies and applications with different timelines, the hype curve nonetheless provides a helpful framework for characterizing industry sentiment.

A Compelling Vision

The original vision for printed/flexible electronics involved printing all circuit elements, including passive components such as resistors and capacitors, along with more sophisticated components such as logic and memory. Visions of printed electronic circuitry and devices such as photovoltaic panels, displays, and lighting rolling off production lines like newsprint captured the imagination. As such, printed/flexible electronics received considerable government and private funding, with many academic research groups exploring printable semiconductors for logic and photovoltaics.

This was followed in the 2000s and early 2010s by private investment into roll-to-roll production of both organic photovoltaics and printed logic, marking the zenith of the hype curve. Unfortunately, meeting market requirements of efficiency, durability, and cost proved challenging for both printed solar and logic, resulting in some cases of bankruptcy or strategic pivots.

Refining Product Market Fit

This realization that producing printed logic/memory that could compete with silicon integrated circuits was extremely challenging, along with the falling cost of conventional silicon photovoltaic panels, required adjustments from the nascent printed/flexible electronics industry. Rather than insist on printing the entire circuits, flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) gained traction as a compromise that combines conventional mounted components with printed functionality. Organic photovoltaics transitioned from aiming to compete on price to instead emphasizing other differentiators such as efficient indoor energy harvesting, lightweight for building integration, and easily tuneable designs.

Reaching the 'Slope of Enlightenment'

Recent years have seen much clearer targeting of printed/flexible electronics to specific applications where the technology offers significant enough benefits over the incumbent technology to merit adoption. Rather than 'here's a new technology with many widely relevant benefits', printed/flexible electronics companies instead offer specific solutions that happen to utilize printed/flexible electronics, often in conjunction with conventional electronics where appropriate.

As such, while the hype curve clearly hides many subtleties, IDTechEx regard the industry as a whole as on the 'slope of enlightenment'. A great example of this is successful commercialization after a strategic pivot, for example, a pivot from printed logic for RFID to producing transparent conductive foils for backlit touch interfaces that are now installed in mass-produced cars. Additional evidence for reaching this stage, where profitable use cases start to be found after the initial hype has faded, include the lack of new startups, with most early-stage players being 5-10 years old and have now identified the optimal product market fit. Furthermore, exhibited prototypes are now often produced in collaboration with a customer and generally show incremental improvements targeted at a specific application rather than novel capabilities. As such, expect to see an increasing commercial adoption of printed/flexible electronics across multiple sectors over the next few years, with applications ranging from wearable heaters to building leak sensors and from automotive touch interfaces to indoor photovoltaics.

Comprehensive Insight

IDTechEx has been researching developments in the printed and flexible electronics market for well over a decade. Since then, we have stayed close to technical and commercial developments, interviewing key players worldwide, annually attending conferences such as FLEX and LOPEC, delivering multiple consulting projects, and running classes/ workshops on the topic. "Flexible & Printed Electronics 2023-2033: Forecasts, Technologies, Markets" utilizes this experience and expertise to summarize IDTechEx's knowledge and insight across the entire field, with granular forecasts across 50 distinct applications and 40 detailed company profiles.

To find out more about this report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/pe

HALF MOON, NY – PVA, a global supplier of automated dispensing and coating equipment, is pleased to announce to announce the appointment of Shashank Prakash as the new Regional Sales Manager for the Western US and Canada. With his diverse background in engineering and extensive B2B sales experience, Prakash brings a wealth of expertise to further strengthen PVA’s presence in this crucial market. Based in Seattle, Washington, Prakash will spearhead PVA’s efforts to better serve existing and future customers across Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and British Columbia.

Originally from India, Prakash’s passion for engineering led him to pursue his Mechanical Engineering studies both in his home country and in France, where he was awarded the prestigious Eiffel Scholarship by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Complementing his technical acumen, he further honed his business skills by earning an MBA from North Carolina State University, setting the stage for a successful career in the industry.

Prior to joining PVA, Prakash distinguished himself at Saint-Gobain, where he excelled in B2B sales, adeptly developing new business opportunities through a sales representative and distribution sales channel. His proven track record in building strong customer relationships and driving revenue growth makes him an invaluable addition to PVA’s sales team.

“We are pleased to welcome Shashank to the PVA family as our new Regional Sales Manager for the Western US and Canada,” said Frank Hart, Managing Director at PVA. “His diverse skillset, international experience, and expertise in B2B sales align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and innovative solutions. We are confident that under Shashank’s leadership, we will further enhance our presence in this vital market and continue to exceed the expectations of our valued customers.”

As PVA focuses Prakash’s territory to Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and British Columbia, the company is poised to better serve its customers with localized support, prompt service, and unparalleled technical expertise.

“I am thrilled to join PVA and take on the exciting challenge of spearheading sales efforts in the Western US and Canadian market,” said Prakash. “I am committed to building strong partnerships with our customers, understanding their unique needs, and delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive their success. I look forward to contributing to PVA’s continued growth and leadership in the automated dispensing and coating equipment industry.”

PVA is excited to have Prakash on board and is confident that his wealth of knowledge and experience will further strengthen the company’s position as a leading global supplier in the industry. PVA is a world-class innovator of high quality, repeatable dispensing and conformal coating systems. The company manufactures turnkey solutions that help customers improve their competitiveness, such as coating inspection, optical bonding and curing ovens.

For more information about PVA, please contact PVA at info@pva.net or (518) 371-2684.

TIMISOARA, ROMANIA – Heraeus Electronics proudly commemorates its 10th anniversary in Romania, celebrating a decade of passion, innovation, and remarkable achievements. The official 10-Year Celebration took place on July 7, 2023, at the Heraeus Romanian facility in Timisoara. The event brought together more than 650 participants, including Heraeus employees and their families, distinguished guests, local officials, academics, diplomats, and members of the press.

The festivities began with a warm welcome by Mr. Samuel Cires, General Manager for Heraeus Romania, who emphasized the significance of teamwork and the company’s unwavering commitment to long-term growth and success. Following Mr. Cires’ address, Mr. Klemens Brunner, the President of Heraeus Electronics, offered a glimpse into the future of Heraeus Romania, expressing his vision for further expansion and development: “What you see here is just the beginning. We envision more plants and a thriving presence in the electromobility industry as it continues to grow in Europe. Romania is a perfect location, and we are confident in our journey of continuous growth here.”

Throughout the event, esteemed guests highlighted the crucial factors that contributed to Heraeus’ choice of Timisoara as its base, including the presence of a prestigious technical university and the city’s vital role in supplying skilled engineers in the electronics and chemistry fields. Additionally, the focus on the future of electromobility and the role Heraeus Romania plays in the global electromobility industry were highlighted, emphasizing the company’s position as a key player in this transformative industry.

The celebration was not just about commemorating a successful past but also about embracing a promising future. Guests enjoyed delightful performances, including a captivating Romanian folk dance and a graceful ballet dance. A factory tour provided attendees with a firsthand look at the cutting-edge technologies and processes that drive success at Heraeus Romania.

The festivities continued with the Family Day, dedicated to employees and their loved ones. Carmen Suciu, HR Director for Heraeus Romania, warmly welcomed everyone, and Manuel Fischer, Global Head of Human Resources & Marketing Communications for Heraeus Electronics, highlighted the remarkable journey of the Romanian office, growing from a startup to a thriving organization with over 350 dedicated employees.

“We are immensely proud to celebrate a decade of success in Romania,” said Sander van Lisdonk, Head of Sales EMEA/America at Heraeus Electronics. “The 10-Year Celebration and Family Day were a testament to the remarkable achievements and the collaborative spirit of our exceptional team in Timisoara. We look forward to continuing our journey of excellence, innovation, and positive impact in the years to come.”

As Heraeus Electronics marks this significant milestone, the company reaffirms its commitment to delivering cutting- edge solutions and driving the future of the electronics industry. For more information about Heraeus, visit www.heraeus.com 

NEW BRITAIN, CT – MicroCare, LLC, a leading provider of innovative cleaning, coating, and lubrication solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Sinclair as a Strategic Account Executive. In this newly created role, Sinclair will be responsible for devising strategies to improve services and build positive relationships with MicroCare’s key clients.

Sinclair is no stranger to the MicroCare family, having previously worked with the company from 2006 to 2021, where he held the position of National Sales Manager for the Sticklers™ and Electronics platforms. During his tenure, he demonstrated exceptional sales expertise, contributing significantly to the growth and success of MicroCare. Over the past two years, Dan has expanded his industry knowledge as part of Jayco Cleaning Technologies, where he specialized in selling precision and industrial ultrasonic parts cleaning equipment.

With his diverse sales background and comprehensive understanding of MicroCare's platforms, Dan's return to the company was a natural choice. His experience and proven ability to cultivate strong client relationships make him the ideal candidate for the role of Strategic Account Executive.

Sinclair began his professional journey at Keene State in New Hampshire, where he pursued studies in Business Administration. However, driven by his passion for the art and science of marksmanship, he made the decision to join the US Army, with a focus on becoming a skilled Sniper. This unique background has shaped his strategic thinking, discipline, and diligence, qualities that will undoubtedly contribute to his success in his new role.

Ray Bellavance, MicroCare Vice President of Sales, and Marketing said, “MicroCare is thrilled to welcome Dan Sinclair back into the MicroCare family. With his expertise and commitment to excellence, we are confident that he will play a pivotal role in strengthening our relationships with key business clients and driving growth within our strategic accounts.”