Long-term investment in UK plastic electronics

Dan Rogers - 01 Nov 2011

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Despite straitened times for many economies worldwide; there is still an urge among governments to find the next-generation industries to protect countries from the peak-and-trough experiences of areas like the financial sector.

The European Commission's European Research Agency Net (ERA-Net) Plus scheme, which aims to encourage national research activities, incorporates the new Organic and Large-Area Electronics (OLAE) funding programme, OLAE+. OLAE+ will provide at least €18 million for transnational R&D collaboration for partners from Austria, Catalonia, Flanders, Germany, Israel, Poland, Sweden and the UK.

Alongside its involvement in OLAE+, the UK has redoubled its efforts to build a printed electronics industry. The national government's Technology Strategy Board is planning the announcement of a new technology competition for funding in October 2011, which includes scope for organic electronics.

UK growth opportunity

On 9-10 November, the Advanced Engineering UK events group will incorporate the inaugural UK Plastic Electronics Show.

The event in Birmingham could be another important step in exposing UK industries to the role that plastic electronics could play in their future businesses.

Some of the most promising UK plastic electronics firms have historically gone overseas - Cambridge Display Technology was acquired by Japanese firm Sumitomo in 2007, while Plastic Logic was most recently the subject of $700 million (€493 million) investment from Russian agency Rusnano.

The goal for the coming years is to secure long-term growth and profits for the UK from plastic electronics, by maintaining some elements of the supply chain in the country.

This article appears in full in Volume 4, issue 2 of +Plastic Electronics magazine.
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