Nanoprint Technologies

Market

Why Printed Electronics is Disruptive

Conventional manufacture of displays and electronic components involves large expensive equipment, with silicon deposited in batch processing techniques involving multiple steps at high temperatures. Much of the material deposited is then etched off and thrown away (leaving behind the required pattern). Conventional manufacture requires huge capital investments in clean production facilities.

In contrast, printed electronics is cost-effective (since material is only deposited in required areas) and can be done with fewer steps, using continuous rather batch processes in low volumes. It does not need highly specified production environments or high temperatures. Materials and manufacturing costs will be lower, and high customizing should be feasible. Printed electronics introduces the possibility for a huge range of new applications that are lightweight, flexible and disposable.

These differences mean that printed electronics is a disruptive technology. In a market research report from 2005, NanoMarkets suggest why:

Low cost of entry The entry costs of manufacturing in PE is significantly lower than for conventional displays based on glass substrates, or semiconductors based on the etching of silicon in a solid state. New silicon plants costs $3bn, whereas PE manufacturing facilities should be achievable with investment of $100ms, rather than $bns.

New industry boundaries. If electronic circuits can be made using equipment that is similar to that used in conventional printing, companies such as Xerox and Hewlett Packard, as well as manufacturers of conventional printing equipment such as print heads, have the opportunity to enter the electronics market. In addition, companies that make materials, such as chemicals companies, see plastic electronics as an emerging opportunity.

Market Sectors

Site Map