Business Applications for Printed Electronics

Most of these devices employ inorganic electronic inks but some use organic ones; so many leading chemical companies are involved. Because this is a potential market of hundreds of millions of dollars, major electronics, printing and packaging companies are preparing the devices. For example, GE is launching reel to reel printed lighting next year in a joint venture with Konica Minolta. Clearly things are now very much on the move. Indeed, in 2009, several leading consumer goods companies have set up multidisciplinary teams to explore how these new technologies can enhance brands in many ways. Packaging and promotional material that employs such moving images, sound, electronic enclosures as rewards and so on will make today’s versions look very tired indeed. Consequently, venture capital continues to be available for this sector despite the recession with companies such as Somark Innovations (printed RFID), PolyPhotonix, Polymertronics and Novaled (all organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs)) all raising multi-million dollar sums this year.