Press Release LOPE-C (English)
LOPE-C 2009: The Future of Organic and Printed Electronics
"Printing Meets Electronics"
- LOPE-C premiers with record number of attendees and exhibitors
- Meeting place of organic and printed electronics industries
- Hosted by the international industry association OE-A
- Third OE-A Roadmap details products and markets until 2025
- Breakthroughs reported in organic photovoltaics materials
- Mass printing of thin, flexible electronic systems takes off
- First products out: solar cells, OLED lighting, sensors, batteries
Frankfurt, Germany, 21st of September 2009 --- Attracting more than 600 registered attendees from 31 countries, offering a total of 120 paper presentations, seminars and keynotes in its business and main conference sections and featuring 50 international exhibitors, the premiere of LOPE-C 2009 (Large-Area Organic & Printed Electronics Convention) set a record despite the tough economic environment. Highly satisfied exhibitors and positive visitor feedback are proof of the LOPE-C concept outlining the future of organic and printed electronics. The new annual event takes place at the Congress Center of Messe Frankfurt, Germany.
"Printing Meets Electronics"
The first LOPE-C has demonstrated the highly viable and innovative fusion of three technological areas – microelectronics, chemistry and printing – aiming for emerging user markets with, in the long term, annual revenues estimated at $300 bn. The combination of conductive polymers and inorganic materials with printing technologies is enabling thin, lightweight and extremely cost-efficient electronic systems. Current market drivers are organic photovoltaics and flexible batteries, OLED lighting, displays, logic and memory components, sensor arrays and RFID tags. Strong end user presence at LOPE-C 2009 is an early indication that the new event is exactly to the point.
A Set of New Topics for the Industry
"Many companies recognize the current economic situation as a chance to get involved in new topics and areas", Dr Klaus Hecker, Managing Director of OE-A, says in regard to LOPE-C. "We are seeing major financings concluded with new investors coming in and the build-up of production capacities. Of course, in financial terms, there is increased selective scrutiny. But there is no sign of a change in investment strategies. Research funding for organic and printed electronics continues at a high priority - at national levels, as well as provided by the EU."
Photovoltaics and OLED Lighting
LOPE-C 2009 is proof of the significant progress made in materials and processes for volume production of organic photovoltaics (Plextronics, Solarmer, Konarka) and OLED lighting (Osram, Philips, Merck, Novaled), in printing technologies for "intelligent packaging" of mass market goods, as well as volume printing of electronic systems in general (MAN Roland, Poly IC and others). All major industrial regions, Europe, Asia and the U.S., are taking part in these developments.
First products, such as Smart Cards and RFID antennas, super-flat batteries, glucose test strips and interactive games are already commercially available. Expected to be on the market by the second half of 2009 are flexible and rollable displays and fully printed RFID tags. All this, according to OE-A, requires closely networked basic research, carefully targeted funding and cluster collaboration among participating firms.
LOPE-C: International Meeting Place of the Industry
The successful June 2009 launch of LOPE-C will position the new, industry-sponsored event as the central annual meeting place of the "Organic and Printed Electronics Community." Thereby, it will serve as a platform for the entire organic and printed electronics value chain – from materials through components, processes, equipment, manufacturing, applications and services to end users in industrial and consumer markets. LOPE-C connects the broad spectrum of technology development with the pull of the market - which is already noticeable.
"Organic and printed electronics is right on track to become one of the next decades%27 most important technologies,“ says Wolfgang Mildner, Managing Director of Poly IC and chairman of OE-A, the host of the event: "For this reason, LOPE-C will be held annually to show the industry%27s fast-paced progress and to serve as the common ground for exchanging vital information among scientists, designers, producers and end users of organic and printed electronics.“
Andrew Hannah, OE-A Vice Chairman and CEO of Plextronics in Pittsburgh, PA, says: "As the leading industry association of organic and printed electronics we are delighted to host such a highly valuable international conference and exhibition. The closer the industry cooperates and shares results, the faster it will develop and grow.“
Third OE-A Roadmap Provides Outline of the Future
Introduced at LOPE-C 2009, the third OE-A Roadmap details the substantial progress in materials, processes and products achieved over the last couple of years - and what applications of organic and printed electronics are feasible already today. Additionally, the new OE-A Roadmap provides an outlook on the product generations through 2025. Most promising growth areas, over the mid term, are organic photovoltaics, flexible displays and OLED lighting, as well as data memories, such as in RFID applications.
The Next LOPE-C
LOPE-C 2010 will take place from 31 May to 2 June 2010, at the Congress Center of Messe Frankfurt, Germany.
About LOPE-C
The leading, industry-sponsored, LOPE-C (Large Area, Organic & Printed Electronics Convention) conference and exhibition is hosted by the OE-A and organized by Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen GmbH. The first LOPE-C was held in June 2009 at the Congress Center of Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany. LOPE-C unites scientists, engineers, producers, investors and the users of organic and printed electronics.
www.lope-c.com
About OE-A
Formed in 2004 as a working group within VDMA (German Engineering Federation), the OE-A (Organic Electronics Association) now is the foremost professional body representing the worldwide organic and printed electronics industry across the entire value chain. Among its more than 120 members worldwide are leading component manufacturers and material suppliers throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
www.oe-a.org
About Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen GmbH
Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen GmbH is a fully owned subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt GmbH. At an annual turnover of €440m (2008), Messe Frankfurt is the world%27s largest fair company operating their own fair grounds. The globally active holding operates a worldwide network of 28 daughter companies, five branch offices and 52 international distribution partners and representatives. With this broad-based structure, Messe Frankfurt is present in more than 150 countries, with important industry events in more than 30 locations. In 2008 Messe Frankfurt organized a total of 102 fairs, 60 of which took place in foreign countries.
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Dr. Klaus Hecker, Managing Director Organic Electronics Association (OE-A) Lyoner Str. 18, 60528 Frankfurt am Main Phone: +49 (0) 69 6603-1336 klaus.hecker@vdma.org www.lope-c.com, www.oe-a.org |
Barbara Kälberer, Project Manager Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen GmbH Taunusstr. 7a, 65183 Wiesbaden Phone: +49 (0) 611 9 51 66 - 18 barbara.kaelberer@mfa.messefrankfurt.com |
LOPE-C Press Contact:
Werner Schulz
Kleinaustrasse 11
14169 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0) 30 81 05 89 59
press@lope-c.com
