Organic and Printed Electronics

Global market for 3D Printing is projected to reach US$4.5 billion by 2018, driven by the development of innovative printing techniques, expanding application areas and declining cost of systems and consumables. 3D printing is a transformative technology used in the manufacture of a wide range of tools, parts, and appliances through the simple use of a digital model. Creating prototypes of new products represents the major commercial application of 3D printing, while direct digital manufacturing using the technique is limited to short production runs in few industry verticals. Market outlook in the 3D printing market is bullish with technology advances expected to drive market growth. Expanding application areas and funding support from government agencies are also expected to spur demand for 3D printing systems and services. Rising use of 3D models, ability to create customized products and declining cost of 3D printing systems and materials are encouraging the adoption of 3D printing as a replacement for conventional prototyping and manufacturing processes in consumer and professional markets.

According to a new study, the global market for industrial inkjet printing hardware and consumables was valued at $1.5 billion in 2011 and $1.9 billion in 2012.  By 2017, the market is projected to approach $7.4 billion after increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.8% since 2012. Inks and other functional fluids accounted for nearly 70% of the industrial inkjet market in 2011 and 2012, a percentage that is expected to increase to more than 74% in 2017. Print heads and other printer hardware make up the remainder. Analyses of the main segments of the industrial inkjet market include product decoration, electronics, medicine and life sciences, 3-D printing, and energy. Inkjet printing is beginning to have an impact on other types of applications, such as food flavorings and fragrances, chemicals, and optics, but the demand for inkjet hardware and consumables in these segments is too small to estimate reliably and is likely to have little impact on overall sales between 2011 and 2017. Product decoration (textiles, ceramics, glass, wall and floor coverings, food, etc.) account for the bulk of the industrial inkjet market. Energy conversion and storage devices made up the second-largest segment in 2011, with 25% of the market, but this segment is expected to drop into third place by 2017, with 12% of the market. Electronic devices should be the second-largest application segment in 2017, with a 15% market share.

The Touch Panel Transparent Conductive Film TCF market is $956 million in 2012. Markets are anticipated to reach $4.8 billion by 2019. ITO is an entrenched technology for displays manufacturing. Indium tin oxide (ITO) has been the transparent conductive film technology for touch screens. Newer technology will erode ITO and provide improved functionality as lower prices. Transparent conductive film supports electronic device usability. The advantage of transparent conductive film is that a very thin layer of material as a coating on a surface can provide touch screen capability. Transparent conductive film supports electronic device usability. Factors that influence commercial success in the wireless device and services market relate to usability above all: The designs of the iPhone are genius designs because of the usability they bring. Development of an integrated hardware, software and service platform to support multiple wireless network standards is an essential aspect of market participation.

The worldwide printed electronics (PE) market has been overhyped and inaccurately forecast for over a decade, and frequently confused with conventional semiconductor electronics manufacturing. Yet PE holds significant potential and is now starting to show real commercial promise. This report is a comprehensive analysis of three independent but related markets: PE printing equipment, PE materials, and PE market applications or end-user solution.

Conventional photovoltaics (PV) are extremely cost-sensitive and expensive silver circuitry is increasingly being replaced with cheaper alternatives, especially in backside PV metallization. NanoMarkets projects that silver inks and pastes in the PV sector will decline from a value of $4.9 billion in 2013 to about $3.4 billion in 2020.

The market for the thin film and printed battery has emerged due to the increasing demand of OEMs for flexible, light weight and highly portable power sources. According to a new market research report “Thin Film and Printed Battery Market, Global Forecast & Analysis (2012 - 2017)”, the total thin film and printed battery market is expected to reach $1,210.3 million by 2017 at a CAGR of 46.14% from 2012 to 2017.

The new electronics and electrics usually involve totally new device principles and chemistry. Whether it is totally new forms of flat screen display or re-invented lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, those at the start of the value chain tend to make higher margins than those making the devices themselves. That is why almost all large chemical companies are becoming very active in this next wave of opportunity representing a new market for fine chemicals and specialist materials of over $50 billion in 2023.

The global market for Flexible Electronics is forecast to reach US$25.9 billion by the year 2018, propelled by the increasing demand for lighter and smaller electronic products with low power consumption. The market, considered to be in an embryonic stage, is currently the focus of intense research by universities, research institutes, and technology driven enterprises. In future, the market offers immense potential for rapid growth with applications extending beyond the traditional sphere to military, automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer applications.

Conductive inks are a simple and unglamorous layer but they will constitute a hefty $2.86 billion market in 2012. As forecasted by the new report "Conductive Ink Markets 2012-2018" the market will rise to $3.36 billion in 2018, with $735 million captured by new silver and copper nanostructure inks. The report details market forecast and outlines the market segments covered in the analysis.

According to this report, the market for printed and thin film electronics will be $9.46 billion in 2012. 42.5% of that will be predominately organic electronics - such as OLED display modules. Of the total market in 2012, 30% will be printed. Initially photovoltaics, OLED and e-paper displays grow rapidly, followed by thin film transistor circuits, sensors and batteries. By 2022 the market will be worth $63.28 billion, with 45% printed and 33% on flexible substrates.