LOPEC to host entire printed electronics value chain

The exhibition at this year's LOPEC focuses on two branches of industry, smart packaging and automotive.

Anyone considering the use of interactive packaging will doubtlessly obtain some good ideas from many of the exhibitors at LOPEC. For example, the Oslo company Thin Film Electronics will present a trademark protection innovation - electronic product labels that store data and are rewritable. The technique used to print the labels is cost effective and easy to integrate into established production processes. It can be used to protect pharmaceutical blister packs from counterfeiting. Thin Film Electronics has also developed paper-thin temperature sensors for packaging fresh foods and other spoilable products. Information about location, storage temperature and time can be called up on a smartphone. The smart label is also available with an integrated temperature display or visual signal if the temperature is too low or too high.

OLEDs are making their way into the automotive sector. OLEDs produced without expensive precious metals such as platinum and iridium are not only cheaper, but also more energy efficient, light intensive and lightweight. At LOPEC, OLED manufacturer Cynora is presenting a range of colour emitter materials and OLED demonstrators.

Transparent conductive films from PolyIC have a promising future in the automotive industry. They can be used to implement touch displays for navigation systems and controls for air conditioners, power windows and more. Thanks to their flexibility, displays of this type can be integrated into curved shapes. Conductive films from PolyIC are also suitable for touchscreens on household appliances. The company is also presenting products for consumer electronics and mobile devices.

Research organisations will also be represented at LOPEC. The highlights at the stand of the Think Tank VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland include decorative organic solar cells that can be printed on transparent films in any shape. They are 0.2mm thin and can be placed on window panes, walls and many other surfaces. Also at the VTT stand is a carbon dioxide sensor coupled to a smartphone and a one-way beauty mask that uses a slight electric current to improve the penetration of cosmetic ingredients into the skin.

GSI Technologies, from Illinois, is also bringing a wide range of products to LOPEC, including thin heating elements for therapeutic and other applications, diagnostic test strips with integrated electrodes and electroluminescent films for portable devices.

As in previous years, LOPEC 2015 will depict the entire value chain, covering everything from research to manufacturing. Companies that want to integrate printed electronic components into their products will find perfect partners at LOPEC.

Kroenert, which specialises in coating, printing and laminating machines, will present its versatile LabCo system at the exhibition in Munich. It has a working width of up to 500mm and is ideal for manufacturing small series of printed electronics and organic photovoltaics. All production parameters can easily be transferred to larger KROENERT systems.

“User industries place various demands on printed electronic products. Electronic components that are developed for the automotive industry must be especially durable and reliable, whereas the packaging sector tends to focus on the cost of production,” explaied Dr. Klaus Hecker, Managing Director, Organic and Printed Electronics Association.