With a focus on important trends, including smart mobility, healthcare and sustainability, LOPEC 2025 is opening its doors at Messe Munich from Feb. 25-27.

Held in conjunction with the OE-A and Messe Munich, LOPEC 2025 offers the latest in advances in printed and flexible electronics, featuring new projects that are either available in markets or nearing commercialization, as well as intriguing research. In addition, the trade show floor promises to be a source of new opportunities.

Klaus Hecker, the OE-A’s managing director, said that this year’s LOPEC looks to be growing in terms of attendees and exhibitors.

“The number of exhibitors is very encouraging, and they come from even more countries than last year,“ Dr. Hecker said. “And pre-registration figures are also very pleasant. We are noticing a trend towards companies opting for larger booths, reflecting the growing interest and investment in LOPEC. Our goal is to continue to expand both the conference and exhibition, and we remain committed to driving its growth in the coming years.“

Dr. Hecker said that the speakers will be a key highlight of this year‘s LOPEC.

“I am looking forward to attending the conference program with high-class speakers at the plenary sessions and at the Business, Technical, and Scientific conference tracks,“ he added. “We have invited international expert speakers from Audi, IEE, Inkspace, and AUO Corporation, just to name a few. And at the show the latest products, applications, equipment and materials will be on display. With a new workshop, Design@LOPEC, and a roundtable discussion, we are reaching out to industrial designers this year.“

This year’s LOPEC will also feature focused sessions on Smart Living and Mobility as specific application sessions. On Feb. 26 and 27, half-day user sessions will be offered on the topics of mobility and smart living, followed by guided tours of the exhibition for congress participants.

“Smart Living and Mobility, the two focus topics, have been with us for several years, together with the overarching topic of sustainability as they are key markets for printed electronics technologies,“ said Dr. Hecker. “LOPEC 2025 will focus on these specific topics that will be included in the congress program as dedicated ‘application sessions’ for the first time.“

Dr. Hecker observed that flexible and printed electronics continue to advance rapidly, with exciting applications emerging across multiple industries.

“In healthcare, we see the rise of smart patches and biosensors that enable real-time health monitoring,“ he added. “The automotive sector is integrating flexible displays and printed sensors into vehicle interiors for enhanced functionality and design.

“Wearable technology is also evolving, with lightweight, stretchable circuits improving user comfort and performance,“ Dr. Hecker noted. “Additionally, developments in sustainable electronics, such as biodegradable sensors and energy-harvesting devices, are gaining momentum. These innovations highlight the growing impact of flexible and printed electronics on our daily lives and industrial applications.

“At OE-A, we are excited to showcase the contributions of the OE-A Competition 2025, where 20 groundbreaking projects and products highlight the future direction of our technology,“ Dr. Hecjker concluded. “We see impactful applications in healthcare, supporting caregivers with new solutions, as well as exciting opportunities for integrating printed electronics into car interiors, enhancing both functionality and design.“

As Dr. Hecker observed, sustainability is also rising to the forefront in the world of flexible and printed electronics.

“Sustainability is also a key focus at the LOPEC Conference. Printed electronics are opening up new possibilities for sustainable production processes and materials,“ he said. “As an additive process, printing consumes less material and energy while minimizing waste. Additionally, advanced printing and processing techniques enable the broader use of recycled and eco-friendly materials, supporting a more circular product lifecycle. We will highlight the environmental benefits of printed electronics through the short course on ‘Sustainability’ (February 25) and the ‘Circular Economy and Green Electronics’ session (February 26).“

Hecker added that the Plenary talks during the morning sessions should provide excellent insight. These include the following talks:

• Thomas Kolbusch, Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH – “The State of Art in Printed Electronics: A Community, Association, Company, and Personal Viewpoint.”
• Wolfgang Mildner, MSWtech – “Highlights of LOPEC 2025 ”
• Dr. Werner Thomas, Audi AG – “Sustainable: Digitalization in Automotive Exterior Lighting: Digital OLED and Exterior Displays“
• Wan-Tsang Wang, AUO Corporation – “Micro LED: A Technology Enabler for Flexible and Stretchable Display ”
• Robert Isele, Inova Semiconductors GmbH – “Software Defined Vehicle Need Connectivity for Zonal Architecture, APXpress, ISELED and ILAS – High Speed Data Distribution”
• Joerg Bauer, IEE S.A – “The Time is Now! Patient-Centered Healthcare Solutions Building on the Deep Understanding of Hybrid Printed Electronics and Sensors.”
• Dr. Kari Rönkä, VTT Oy, and Prateek Singh, Finnadvance – “Sustainable: Pilot Line Accelerated In-vitro Diagnostic System Innovation to Market: Stretchable Multifunctional Platform with Integrated Microfluidics, Photonics and Electronics“
• Prof. Luigi Occhipinti, University of Cambridge– “AI-Driven Wearable Tech and Neuromorphic Sensors: Advancing Sustainable Smart Edge Devices”
• Dr. Marie O’Mahony, WSA, University of Southampton – “Design + Printed Electronics: Where Does the Value Lie?“

LOPEC 2025 Schedule at a Glance

Tuesday, Feb. 25 opens with the Plenary Session, led by chair Wolfgang Mildner, followed by Dr. Peter Fischer of InkSpace, who will discuss “Sustainable: How Innovations Can Change Lives: Advancing Diagnostic Healthcare with a Printed Electronics Technology Platform.“

It then breaks into two sessions: Business Conference and Short Courses. The Business Conference features sessions: End-User Applications and Requirements; Markets and Business Environment; and Business and Product Developments.

The Short Courses include Inks for Organic Electronics; Substrate; Barrier Properties; Process; Mobility; Health; Textile; and Sustainability. 

The Feb. 26 Plenary Session will feature talks by Mildner, Kolbusch, Dr. Thomas, Wang and Isele, as well as two Technical Conference tracks and one Scientific Conference track. The Technical Conference tracks include sessions on Circular Economy and Green Electronics; Biomedical/Healthcare Applications and Wearables; User Interfaces, Displays and Lighting; Flexible and Printed Electronics for Automotive Industries; Upscaling Manufacturing; and Substrates and Encapsulation.

The Scientific Conference track features segments on New Devices and Systems and Novel Materials and Devices.

The Feb. 27 Plenary session includes talks by Mildner, Bauer, Dr. Rönkä and Singh, Prof. Occhipinti, and Dr. O’Mahony. After the Plenary session, there will again be two Technical Conference tracks and one Scientific Conference tracks. The Technical Conference tracks feature sessions on Flexible and Printed Electronics for Healthcare, Wearables and Smart Buildings; 3D Structural Materials; Functional Materials; Smart and Hybrid Materials; and Energy Generation and Storage. The Scientific Conference track features segments on Sensors and Processes.

For more information on LOPEC 2023, visit www.lopec.com.