OE-A publishes 10th edition of Roadmap for Flexible and Printed Electronics

The Organic and Printed Electronics Association (OE-A) has recently released the 10th edition of its "Roadmap for Flexible and Printed Electronics," a comprehensive 310-page study that offers insights into the current state, applications, and future prospects of flexible and printed electronics. Developed with input from over 100 experts in the industry and research fields, the roadmap presents short-, medium-, and long-term forecasts for technologies, applications, and markets, reflecting the increasing maturity and industrialization of these technologies across various industries.

Presented initially at LOPEC in February, the key findings of the updated roadmap are now available for download on the OE-A website. Members of the non-profit organization can access the whitepaper for free, while non-members have the option to purchase it for €3,745, gaining valuable insights into the evolving landscape of flexible and printed electronics.

The study is structured around key industry sectors and end-user markets, encompassing areas such as automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, printed electronics for packaging, smart buildings, and the Internet of Things. Notably, defense and aerospace are now treated as a distinct sector, underscoring the rising significance of specialized printed electronics solutions in these fields.

Furthermore, the roadmap delves into a wide array of technologies, from flexible and OLED displays to energy generation and storage, with a new focus on fuel cells. It covers active and passive components, as well as integrated intelligent systems, providing historical insights and future projections for each technology area, offering a comprehensive view of the evolving landscape of flexible and printed electronics.

One of the notable additions in the 10th edition is the dedicated chapter on "Sustainability & Green Electronics," emphasizing sustainability as a pivotal factor in materials, design, manufacturing processes, and applications within the printed electronics industry. Printed electronics are recognized for their additive, material- and energy-efficient production methods, aligning well with the principles of the circular economy, which are gaining increasing importance in the industry.