Organic and printed electronics industry expects an increase of 8% in sales revenue in 2017
The signs are still set for growth in the organic and printed electronics industry. This is the clear message to result from the latest business climate survey conducted by the OE-A (Organic and Printed Electronics Association). 80% of survey participants expect the industry to continue its positive development in the coming year. The results of the survey, carried out for the seventh time, were presented by OE-A Chair Dr Jeremy Burroughes to the international press at LOPEC 2017 – the leading international trade fair and conference for organic and printed electronics – in Munich, Germany.
The semi-annual OE-A Business Climate Survey sheds light on the anticipated growth of the organic and printed electronics industry. During each survey, OE-A members – from material suppliers to end-users – are asked to provide qualitative data on the state of the industry and their expected sales development.
With a projected sales revenue of 8%, 2017 will be a very successful year for OE-A members – even if the growth is 9% points lower compared to the forecasts from 2016. “It is understandable that companies are careful in making predictions at the beginning of the year”, states Dr Jeremy Burroughes.
For 2018, a continuation of the positive trend in the organic and printed electronics industry is expected, in all areas, from material suppliers to end-users, and in all regions: Europe, Asia and North America. The companies expect further development and a growth in revenue of 16%.The positive forecasts for 2017 are also reflected in other areas. Survey respondents want to continue to invest in expanding production in particular. Nearly half of the companies even want to increase these investments. They also want to continue expanding capacity in R&D activities. Furthermore, there are good opportunities for employees in the organic and printed electronics industry: 33% of the companies surveyed plan to hire more employees in the next six months.