Under the slogan “Printing Value, Boosting Industry,” over 100 national and international experts have discussed enabling technologies and internationalization, reinforcing the cluster’s position as a significant driving force for the industry.
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On November 6th, Functional Print Cluster celebrated its 10th anniversary at Baluarte in Pamplona. The event brought together around 100 experts from companies, institutions, research centers, training centers, and government agents.
The day began with remarks from Mikel Irujo, Navarra’s Government Counselor of Industry, Green Transition, and Digital Business Transformation. He emphasized the “tremendous growth potential” of this sector “at all levels, particularly in Navarra,” where the cluster “is well-established.”
The event featured several keynote speakers, including Senentxu Lanceros from BC Materials, Isabel Obieta from EISMEA, and Guillermo Dorronsoro from Zabala Innovation. They explored various aspects of functional printing, such as the profound evolution of technology and the necessity of adapting to constant changes. A panel discussion followed, focusing on industrial transformation and advanced manufacturing, with contributions from Susana Barasoain, Cluster Manager; Javier Pérez of Embega and Cluster President; Marta Castillo of Antolín; Marc Vizern of Rotimpres; and Larraitz Añorga of Biolan Health.
The importance of internationalization was also highlighted as a “key driver for project improvement and growth.” Experts such as Francisco Núñez from ICEX and Rakel Herrero from Naitec provided insights into the international growth of the sector, with a focus on markets like South Korea.
Jack Howley, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, delivered a global market outlook, emphasizing the growth potential of printed sensors. “Printed and flexible sensors present significant development opportunities, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6%. Starting from a global market value of $421 million annually, projections indicate growth to $960 million by 2034,” he noted.
The event concluded with remarks from Patricia Fanlo, Navarra’s Government Counselor for University, Innovation, and Digital Transformation. She highlighted how the sector “has transitioned from being a future technology to becoming a tangible reality.“ She also praised the cluster for not only driving advanced technology but also for its success in attracting and retaining talent and strengthening competitiveness.
Additionally, cluster members and the 3NEO Platform showcased their most innovative products and the latest advancements in printed electronics and functional printing at a dedicated showroom. This event was described as a “unique opportunity” for companies, organizations, and government representatives to see firsthand “the global impact of functional printing, with a worldwide revenue of €150 billion, and its transformative effect on key sectors such as mobility, digital health, and artificial intelligence.”
At the showroom, a dedicated stand provided information about the European INFINITE project. Both Spanish project partners were there, Functional Print Cluster and Salesianos Pamplona. This initiative has been well-received by cluster members, who are actively helping to identify gaps between education and industry demands for skilled professionals in printed electronics.
