During the past few years, the Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA) has grown rapidly, hosting the CPES annual forum, lots of webinars and workshops, and bringing together stakeholders in the fledgling industry.
 
However, this new technology is not just printable; there are new opportunities for new flexible and hybrid technologies. With an eye on the changing market, CPEIA and its membership have rebranded the association, which is now the intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance. The association covers technologies ranging from printable, flexible, wearable and hybrid electronics.
 
“At our annual general meeting in 2016, we recognized that printable electronics as a focus was nice, but there are a lot more technologies in this field,” said Peter Kallai, president and CEO of intelliFLEX. “Many of our members were already involved in these tech domains, going well beyond our original mandate in printable electronics. It was clear to us that the flexible electronics space is a more appropriate name, and we felt this was the direction we wanted to go.  This coincides with our new programming, which will provide a focus on our most important member needs.” 
 
In addition to undergoing its own rebranding, intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance will take over the leadership of the Smart Textile and Wearables Innovation Alliance (STWIA). Launched as part of the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) work in printable electronics, STWIA represents approximately 90 members throughout Canada, including companies, universities, government and not-for-profit organizations. 
 
Joining intelliFLEX and the creation of the intelliWEAR Leadership Council is a new initiative to drive Canada’s wearables and smart textiles industry. intelliWEAR will look to bring together supply chain stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of wearable solutions enabled by printable, flexible or hybrid electronics. 
 
“This is an exciting time for the smart textile and wearables sector in Canada, and joining IntelliFLEX, a professional industry association, demonstrates the maturity of the sector,” said Thomas Ducellier, executive director of printable electronics for the NRC. “Through intelliWEAR, members will be able to build bespoke programs, lobby government and help the sector scale in Canada.” 
 
“We value the close working relationship we have always had with the NRC,” said Kallai. “Thomas and his team have laid a great foundation on which to build a strong ecosystem to support the growth of the wearables and smart textiles sector across Canada, tied into the US and into global markets. We welcome STWIA members and look forward to working with them through the intelliWEAR Leadership Council.”
 
intelliFLEX includes a wide range of industry verticals, including intelligent packaging (intelliPACK), intelligent wearables (intelliWEAR), connected homes (intelliBUILD) and automotive and aerospace (intelliPART). 
 
As part of its rebranding, the intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance launched its new web site – intelliflex.org – offering expanded programs, use case series, white papers and a lot more. Kallai said that intelliFLEX has refocused around five new sets of programming:
 
• New Product Development Advantage – securing customers and entering supply chains.
• Scale-Up Manufacturing Advantage – moving from prototypes to volume production.
• Global Market Advantage – working with companies throughout the worldwide supply chain.
• Expansion Capital Advantage – helping to find financing from government and the private sector.
• Access Talent Advantage – helping to find new hires, setting up training events.
 
“Our technical programs range from smart materials to various manufacturing processes and software,” Kallai added. “Our ecosystem can provide total solutions for all technologies, from printable, stretchable, flexible and wearable electronics.”
 
“We are here to grow,” Kallai noted. “Printable electronics is a niche play, and this rounds out our offering. Our industry ecosystem includes some 300 to 400 organizations that are members or potential members of intelliFLEX.”
 
For more information on intelliFLEX, contact Kallai at [email protected] or +613-505-4775, ext. 101.