Printed, flexible, and organic electronics (PFOE) is a rapidly emerging field that includes various disciplines, including electronics, materials science, chemistry, physics, printing technologies, and manufacturing engineering. It involves the fabrication of electronic components and devices using printing and vacuum techniques, enabling the production of flexible, lightweight, and cost-effective electronics.
The application areas of PFOE have expanded rapidly over the years. Initially, there was a focus on applications such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, smart cards, and displays. However, the field has evolved to include a wide range of industries, including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, energy, and more.
Globally, most of the growth in flexible electronics overall is expected to originate from OLEDs (organic light-emitting diode), printed biosensors and conductive inks. The global conductive inks market size is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%, by value, during 2020-2025. By value, 95% of the conductive ink supply is used for printed photovoltaic solar cells, exterior automotive heating applications and edge electrodes for touch screens.
Growth on the EU market is mainly attributed to the penetration of smart consumer electronics and in particular to recent trends in the growing field of medical applications. Germany is the dominant flexible electronic market, followed by Spain and France, the latter with the highest growth trend. Other important markets include Finland and Sweden. The ongoing advancements in printed, flexible, and organic electronics (PFOE) continue to drive innovation and open up new possibilities for applications and technologies. Researchers, engineers, and industry professionals are exploring novel materials, refining printing processes, and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved through this exciting field.
With the field of PFOE evolving rapidly, there are new skills and profiles required at different educational level (from operator to engineering specialist). Employees in traditional electronics manufacturing companies and printing companies needs upskilling their existing skill to new skills. These new skills are such as knowhow of PFOE manufacturing processes, material behaviour and compatibility in different manufacturing situations. Electronics and mechanics designers need new skills in design methods and tools as well as understanding of design process and requirements from 2D to 3D. The current workforce must be upskilled and retrained, and in parallel new prospects must be schooled to fill the skill gap in the industry.
There is a pressing need for Vocational education and training (VET) system that can provide the education necessary for the jobs that are demanded. As more companies and organizations invest in the development of flexible electronic devices and systems, such as health electronics, biosensors, wearables, imbedded electronics in automotive industry, etc. Therefore, there will be an increasing demand for a skilled workforce that can design, manufacture, and test these devices. The industry requires workers that have knowledge and skills that go beyond the content of traditional VETs in electronics or degrees in engineering or material sciences. New skills are demanded and will have to be constantly updated not only in accordance with the needs of the industry but also to create professionals fit for the present and upcoming challenges, such as the digital and green transition, as well as socioeconomical and demographic challenges.
The INFINITE project is a response to these needs. It will establish a Cooperation Network of Centres of Vocational Excellence in the intelligent PFOE sector, to ensure European prosperity in this field. The INFINITE project will build a cooperation network of Centres of Vocational Excellence in the PFOE sector, to ensure European prosperity in this rapidly evolving field. There are specific skills needed that go beyond what traditional VET provide. There is a need for targeted training programs that can prepare individuals for jobs in the flexible electronics industry at local and international level. The INFINITE project will close in on the skills gap at national and international level, to then develop new and/or adapt existing VET to the needs of the PFOE industry. Moreover, flexible electronics is a field with significant potential for innovation. Therefore, developing VET programs that focuses on flexible electronics will help to ensure that there is a pipeline of skilled workers who are able to meet the needs of the industry, here in Europe. The network will be comprised by four sets of full partners in each of their countries Latvia, Finland, Germany and Spain. All sets of partners are active in the PFOE sector. Furthermore it could be found partners from Estonia, France, Portugal and Greece as Associated Partners.
Impact in the EU area
The flexible electronics market in Europe is still in development. The segments of the value chain are there, but the business activity in flexible electronics is still limited to some niche areas in Europe. These include mainly RFID/NFC tags, but also wearables and healthcare. Most of the flexible electronic market concerns semi flex solutions notably conventional electronics on flexible substrates.
For European businesses, PFOE offer opportunities in high value-added products, with most potential in several specific application areas. These application areas are healthcare and medical devices, smart packaging and logistics, sensors for IoT, industry and environmental monitoring, and automotive. An emergent area for Europe lies within the creative industries, although applications in e.g. fashion, require further maturity of flexible electronics on textile substrates.
Fexible electronics is still in an early stage, leaving ample room for further technological development. The largest application area of flexible electronics is in displays and lighting (large-area flexible electronics), where Europe has no significant presence as this market is dominated by actors in Asia and North America. Nevertheless, Europe has a strong research base and boasts a lot of innovative companies that have spun off from strongholds in applied research in electronics such as Imec, TNO, Holst Centre and VTT (beneficiary of the present project). Therefore, the role for Europe is seen in niche areas derived from innovation that create more complex, high value-added applications.
For Europe it is important to build on current strengths and capitalize on its strong research and innovation position. This requires commercialization by businesses in Europe, which are currently small-sized. Further upscaling of these businesses is required to gain a strong position in the market of flexible and printed electronics. This could be stimulated with targeted investments in specific application areas for flexible electronics, fulfilling societal needs in strategic areas, such as in healthcare. Demonstrator projects (higher level TRL) could further enhance business cases of smaller
companies in flexible electronics, enabling them to acquire private investments for upscaling. INFINITE Project is very strategic for Europe in order to qualify VET students with the skills demanding in the market.