Printed electronics requires an entire ecosystem of partners. Product designers and engineers develop the concept. Ink, substrate and raw material suppliers produce the materials, and production and testing equipment manufacturers create the means for printers and converters to make the systems.

In particular, having press manufacturers who are ready to produce full-scale equipment is essential to the ultimate success of printed electronics, and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, the world’s largest manufacturer of sheetfed presses, is taking on that challenge.

In the last two years, Heidelberg has developed the equipment and expertise to produce printed and organic electronics, and is already working with major brands on production. The company has set up a dedicated business unit for printed and organic electronics, investing €5 million in a complete production line for printed sensors.

“As we see it, our involvement in this production of high-tech sensors opens up the potential for growth in the two- to three-digit million euro range,” said Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer in announcing the new division.

Thomas Fichtl, head of corporate communications for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, noted that Heidelberg’s current success is the result of years of research and development at the InnovationLab GmbH, which Heidelberg has been connected with since 2008.

“The technical breakthrough was reached two years ago and started our project of stepping into the business of printed and organic electronics,” Fichtl added. “We consequently invested into the production facility, so we are now ready to produce and capture the market.

“The current success is the result of years of fundamental research by scientists from Germany and other countries at InnovationLab GmbH in Heidelberg,” he added. “iL’s shareholders are the DAX-listed companies BASF and SAP, Heidelberg University, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Heidelberg. It started in 2008 following its successful participation in the German government’s Leading-Edge Cluster Competition…and our first customer Dr. Jean Bausch GmbH & Co. KG.”

Fichtl said that the printed and organic electronics market has evolved in recent years, opening up greater opportunities for new applications.

“We are the first ones that are able to produce printed and flexible pressure sensors on an industrial scale in a roll-2-roll process,” he noted. “This process enables mass production and drives prices to breakthrough price levels. Therefore, we expect the market to grow significantly. Several projects for next generation digital products are already in the R&D pipeline.”

Fichtl added that Heidelberg’s technology fits well within the field of printed electronics.

“Heidelberg is the global market leader for printing presses, and has an outstanding expertise in printing processes. We have been delivering top print quality and innovation for 170 years, and Heidelberg has the necessary expertise in the development, qualification and manufacturing of modern electronics,” he observed. “Bringing this together gives us the expertise for the field of printed electronics.”

Heidelberg is already manufacturing products, including the OccluSense sysem from Dr. Jean Bausch GmbH & Co. KG.

“Our first product is the printed sensor for the OccluSense system from Cologne-based company Dr. Jean Bausch GmbH & Co. KG., which enables dentists to digitally check the distribution of masticatory pressure during occlusion – that is to say when the upper and lower jaws come together – with a view to identifying and subsequently correcting any malocclusions,” Fichtl reported.

“Further applications that are in the pipeline enable smart diagnostic options for patient monitoring and treatment in the health care/medical device market or optimize warehouse logistics and automated inventory management in the warehouse and logistics segment.” 

All in all, Fichtl is optimistic about the opportunities ahead for organic and printed electronics.

“We expect our addressable market of printed and organic sensors to grow up to 1 bnUSD within the next 10 years,” he concluded.