As more printed electronics (PE) applications reach the pilot production and commercialization stages, end users are gaining important insights and experiences with the technology and how consumers react. This sort of information is key to PE manufacturers and their suppliers.

Providing this information is a key focus of Printed Electronics Europe 2014, which will be held in Berlin, Germany from April 1-2. Organized by IDTechEx, the two-day conference will have a large number of end users on hand to present their findings after using PE.

“Our ongoing research with end users has found that more and more end users are setting up programs dedicated to exploiting printed electronics in their products,” said Raghu Das, CEO of IDTechEx. “This is being reflected in the number of end users attending the event. In particular, end user speakers include Hasbro, Diageo, Electrolux, Boeing, De La Rue, Abbott Diagnostics, Decathlon and Stora Enso, amongst others.

“While the event covers the full range of technologies, I think there will be particular interest this year in printed and flexible sensors, wearable technology, and systems integrations/solutions,” Das added. “We have put together a line-up of speakers who will be making some major announcements. Expect some big announcements which will have a strong positive influence on the direction of the industry.”

Das noted that each year, IDTechEx’s conferences expand in terms of attendees and exhibitors, and 2014’s European conference is no different.

“Attendance and exhibitor numbers are 20% up compared to this time last year – with more growth coming from end users attending versus suppliers, which highlights how the ‘user pull’ is beginning to become more evident,” Das noted.

There are a number of major topics planned for sessions at PE Europe 2014. End user sessions include Consumer Packaged Goods, Healthcare, Consumer Electronics, Consumer Electronics, Architecture and the Build Environment, and Textiles.

Other topics scheduled to be covered include Future of Transparent Conductors , Flexible and Stretchable Electronics, System Integration, OLED versus LED Lighting, Logic and Memory, Bistable Display Technology, The Energy Storage Gold Rush, Printed Conductors, Printed Electronics Manufacturing, OLED Displays, Paper Electronics, 3D Printing, Energy Harvesting, Global Market Analysis, Actuators, Photovoltaics, Touch Sensors and Screensand Sensor Technology.

IDTechEx has also co-located other events of interest to the printed electronics field during PE Europe 2014, which Das said offers attendees added benefits. These include:

• Graphene LIVE! Europe 2014
• 3D Printing LIVE! Europe 2014
• Energy Harvesting and Storage Europe 2014
• Internet of Things & WSN Europe 2014
• Supercapacitors Europe 2014

“These topics are all related to printed electronics and are attended by people who focus on them,” Das said. “The benefit of putting them together is that it leverages commonality in the materials, components and supply chain that are relevant to multiple topics. Exhibitors and attendees therefore meet more qualified contacts. Additionally, lessons and problems from one sector can be applied to others.

“Secondly, co-locating the event brings greater value for money to attendees and exhibitors in terms of time and money,” Das added. “They do not have to go to multiple events – it is all under one roof. Thirdly, based on feedback from last year, attendees will discover things that they were not expecting to learn about.”

As has been the case in recent programs, IDTechEx will have Demonstration Street, and Manufacturing Street to show attendees what PE products are capable of, and how they are made, respectively.

“Printed Electronics Europe 2014 will feature our largest yet Demonstration Street and Manufacturing Street,” Das said. “We want attendees to see real products – and we have many new ones this year. Additionally, Manufacturing Street allows attendees to see how printing and other processes are being used – with hands on guides and advice from the experts.”

For more information, on PE Europe 2014, contact Chris Clare, IDTechEX event director, printed electronics at +44 (0)1223 810270 or by email at [email protected].