The past year has seen further growth in the world of flexible and printed electronics. Flexible and hybrid solutions have continued to emerge, and printing is increasingly being seen as one of the potential drivers for future growth. The good news is that there are new applications coming to market all of the time.

Smart packaging is a fascinating opportunity, as the ability to connect consumers, retailers and brand owners has the potential to change the way we live. We are seeing more examples of how brands are using near field communication (NFC), RFID and printed tags to connect with their customers through their smartphones. In “Brand Owners See Benefits of Smart Packaging,” which starts on page 11, we talk with two brand owners – YUNI Beauty and Kilchoman – on how they reach their customers, and also bring you insights from leading suppliers in the field.

In another example, the TV/display/lighting segment has seen increasing usage in OLED and quantum dot technologies, with OLED holding approximately half of the smartphone segment and the two combining for an increasing share of the sizable TV market. OLED and QD are very different technologies, but one thing they share is the ability to ultimately be printed. In “OLEDs, Quantum Dots Make Gains in the Display Market,” beginning on page 14, industry leaders discuss the possibilities for printing.

Flexible sensors are another area of interest, bringing together the benefits of printing, flexibility and silicon for products in segments such as health and wearables and the Internet of Things (IoT), among others. “New Opportunities for Flexible Sensors,” which starts on page 18, takes a look at some of the gains being made in this field.

This issue of Printed Electronics Now also features our annual International Suppliers’ Directory, our comprehensive listing of manufacturers of printed electronics systems, raw materials, equipment, services, researchers and more. In addition to this issue, our Suppliers’ Directory information can also be found on the web at nitesh_pen.rodpub.com. Please let us know if your company should also be listed, and I hope you enjoy this issue!