Exploring Opportunities for Printed Electronics in East Asia

Exploring Opportunities for Printed Electronics in East Asia

There have been three billion-dollar success stories in printed and organic electronics so far — and in each Asia has been a key driving factor. The first is OLED displays. These are not printed today but made in high volume by evaporation methods. After twenty years from their conception the market is now taking off, thanks largely to the investment from Samsung, seeking to differentiate its smart phone display technology versus the key competition, Apple. This has led to OLEDs becoming a market of more than $6 Billion this year, up from $1 billion just two years ago. Samsung and LG are now following up with OLED TVs expected to be launched later this year or early next year. Samsung are using LTPS TFT technology, LG metal oxide TFT technology for the backplane.

They and others in Asia are following through with the next wave — printed OLEDs, which will reduce the cost of manufacture but will take more time to come to market. Even huge rivals Sony and Panasonic are collaborating on this to seek differentiation from the ever successful Samsung. Printing may be adopted partially with some emitters printed, and other layers evaporated. Material and equipment providers are more globally spread however, being based in Europe and the US. TV is the sweet spot for printing as printing will not obtain the higher resolutions for cellphone displays initially.

The IDTechEx Printed Electronics Asia event in Tokyo, Japan on October 2-3 (www.PrintedElectronicsAsia.com) features the latest achievements, roadmaps and insight on OLEDs — whether or not they are printed. The leading Asian display and material companies reveal their progress while European and American companies cover their latest breakthroughs in materials.

This reads on to OLED lighting, which cannot be assessed properly without reference to the huge rise of LED lighting, where companies will compare the two and see where the opportunity is for OLED lighting.

The other huge successes in printed electronics have been e-readers, utilizing electrophoretic displays from E-ink, Taiwan, and conductive ink, widely used in PV, which is now mostly made now in China.

Logic and memory

More than 300 organizations have progressed logic and memory, but it is being commercialized mainly for TFT backplanes in Asia. The event features the latest progress with metal oxides, organic semiconductors, silicon ink and more with presentations from companies such as Merck, IMRE, Tokyo Institute of Technology, City University of Hong Kong and Sunchon National University. Others such as Samsung, Hitachi Chemical and the University of Cambridge will reveal new material breakthroughs.

New opportunities

The large range of new options will be explored such as electronics that are stretchable, sensing and transparent. In addition, end users from around the World will discuss commercialization opportunities and challenges.

Why attend?

This event will introduce you to the activities and leading players in Asia. It is the ideal opportunity for you to understand the latest progress of printed electronics in Asia and to meet with potential partners and customers, especially as Asia will continue to be a dominant driver in the adoption of the technology. The event features analyst discussions, tours to local companies and an introductory service. Register early to save see www.PrintedElectronicsAsia.com. ■