Printed electronics forecast

The report, Printed, Organic & Flexible Electronics Forecasts, Players & Opportunities 2009-2029, states that 71% of the market in 2009 comprises electronics that are relatively mature. This includes conductive inks, sensors and oleds which are on glass substrates and not printed as yet. IDTechEx reports a number of developments over the last year. These include a shift from organic based materials to a more even balance between organics and inorganics on thin film transistors; a broadened scope of work in printed electronics – primarily in Japan and Korea; and an increase of companies getting involved in photovoltaics. The report says that creative product design is needed and that printed electronics know how is being used in conventional electronics manufacture to reduce the cost, such as the move to inkjet printing of conductors enabling smaller circuits compared to etched versions.