Mapping the Future of Flexible and Printed Electronics
March 2, 2023 | OE-AEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

“The last couple of years since the release of the previous Roadmap have seen continued innovation regarding the adoption of printed, flexible, and hybrid electronics in a wide range of products and markets,” states Stan Farnsworth, Chair of the OE-A Board and Chief Marketing Officer at PulseForge. This 9th edition of the Roadmap published by the OE-A (Organic and Printed Electronics Association), a working group within VDMA, is presented today at LOPEC 2023 and outlines the present status, current and future opportunities for the industry.
Major Trends in Key Markets
The “OE-A Roadmap for Flexible, Organic and Printed Electronics” white paper provides a close look into the advancing maturity of the industry. In addition to updates on key technologies and capabilities, more than 100 industry experts have contributed detailed short, medium, and long-term forecasts for markets including Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Healthcare, Printing and Packaging, Smart Building, and Internet of Things.
In the automotive sector, where the use of the technology has already been widely adopted for rear lights, OLED lighting has now reached the car interior. Use of OLED displays for curved displays, lighting concepts and touch sensors inside the car are anticipated to see continuing growth. When considering trends in consumer electronics the roadmap focuses
A Working Group Within
on HMI, as increasingly touch sensors are replacing mechanical knobs and buttons. Smart phones with foldable displays are growing in popularity. The use of printed electronics in the healthcare industry and packaging market was accelerated by Covid. Smart patches for monitoring body functions are more widespread, and tracking of environmental parameters such as temperature and shock is of growing importance. The seamless integration of printed electronics into objects is of special relevance for the Internet of Things. RFID and NFC labels, smart tags, which can now also include integrated GPS, are working as a strong driver. For the Smart Building industry, the increasing need of improved sustainability has led to significant innovations. Organic and large area printed photovoltaic installations on roofs are becoming more widely used, while the need for advanced sensors is opening opportunities for printed electronics in building monitoring and control.
Printed electronics drives sustainability
“Printed electronics technologies have a lot to offer when it comes to sustainable production processes and materials. Printing, as an additive process, consumes less material and energy, and reduces the amount of waste. Printing plus related advanced processing enables broader use of recycled or eco-friendly materials to support product lifecycle circularity.” explains Stan Farnsworth.
What is afoot?
The trend is towards more stretchable materials which fit for applications in medical, sports and for clothing. The mobility sector, via electric cars and autonomous driving, offers new possibilities such as printed sensors, integrated control and interface systems, and evolved battery-related technologies. "Product development must think printed electronics by design. Printed and hybrid electronics do present opportunities for incremental product improvements, but even more so the opportunities are deeper. In our experience, manufacturers are ready,” explains Farnsworth.
Suggested Items
Incap Estonia Recognized with Second Golden Label for Responsible Business
06/27/2025 | IncapIncap Electronics Estonia has been awarded a golden label by the Responsible Business Forum in Estonia for the second time. The responsible business label is a prestigious symbol in Estonia that identifies entrepreneurs and organisations that demonstrate excellence in environmental, social, and economic responsibility.
TRI Unveils New Multi-Camera AOI, TR7500 SIII Ultra
06/27/2025 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading test and inspection systems provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, proudly introduces the new TR7500 SIII Ultra.
TT Electronics Achieves ISO 13485 Medical Certification at Mexicali EMS Facility
06/27/2025 | TT ElectronicsThis milestone underscores TT Electronics’ commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant, and reliable manufacturing solutions to its global customers in healthcare and life sciences.
PCBA Market to Reach $147.5 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2025
06/27/2025 | PRNewswireThe Printed Circuit Board Assembly market is projected to reach $147.5 billion by 2035, up from an estimated $90.91 billion in 2025, growing at a steady CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period.
Scanfil Strengthens its Customer Portfolio in Medtech & Life Science by Signing Agreement with Liquid Instruments
06/27/2025 | BUSINESS WIREScanfil and Liquid Instruments have signed a manufacturing outsourcing agreement for Scanfil’s Melbourne plant in Australia. This agreement supports Liquid Instruments’ strategy to onshore production of its flagship Moku platform, strengthening domestic supply chains and bringing manufacturing closer to its research and development hub.