"We were united by a shared vision"

 

From the first meetings in 2004 to today‘s international collaborations with over 200 members, the Organic and Printed Electronics Association (OE-A) has become the leading platform for printed electronics. As the OE-A celebrates its 20th anniversary, Managing Director Dr. Klaus Hecker reflects on the early days of the organisation and its rapid development.

Dr. Hecker, congratulations on the OE-A’s 20th birthday! Do you remember the early days of the OE-A and how it all started?
Dr. Klaus Hecker: I vividly remember the inaugural meeting of the OE-A in 2004 – a remarkable gathering of leading companies in a newly emerging field, driven by the excitement of creating something innovative and being part of its development from the very beginning.
At that meeting, 35 companies and institutes from Europe and the USA gathered at the VDMA to launch a new industry association dedicated to flexible, organic and printed electronics. They were united by the belief that this groundbreaking technology, with its potential to open up new applications and markets, needed a platform for collaboration. It was clear that this emerging industry needed a space to meet, network, share ideas, find partners, develop strategies and represent its interests. No one can do this alone. With the support of the VDMA and together with a core group of VDMA member companies from the engineering sector, as well as materials companies, electronics manufacturers, end-users and research institutions, we launched what quickly became the largest, most international and diverse working group within the VDMA.

What motivated you to work for the OE-A, how did you become involved with the OE-A?
As a physicist, I was immediately fascinated by the multidisciplinarity, internationality and business potential of this new technology. I had already been working for two years at the VDMA in a related field of OLED displays, so it was a natural step to combine this network with other mechanical engineers, especially from the printing world.
The timing was perfect, and there was no association in this field worldwide. This helped a lot to grow quickly and internationally. This success is a team effort, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board, the members, our partners and the OE-A team for their great work and support.

What misunderstandings did you have to overcome at the beginning?
When bringing together companies and people from completely different industries and regions with different, sometimes competing interests, you have to learn that they all speak their industry-specific technical language. This sometimes leads to confusion and irritation. But because the community is united by the idea of working together, we always find a good solution to move forward.
Speaking of language: When discussions about flexible, organic and printed electronics began several decades ago, we referred to the technology primarily as "organic electronics". However, we soon realised that this term could be confusing. Some people associated "organic" with products like organic fruit, grown without synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

20 years of OE-A: How has the OE-A developed  during this time, what have been the milestones? And what is the current state of the industry?
As I mentioned, we started with 35 member companies and two working groups. Today, we have grown to over 200 member companies across the value chain, with nine working groups. In addition, we have ongoing roadmapping initiatives and an annual flagship event, LOPEC – the largest exhibition and conference for flexible, organic and printed electronics in cooperation with Messe Munich. These milestones highlight the development of the association and the growing importance of printed electronics in the market. The shift from a "technology push" to a "market pull" driven by end-user needs has only intensified in recent years. When we started, printed electronics was seen as a technology close to market readiness. Today, it’s integrated into a wide range of products, with significant penetration in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, printing and packaging, smart buildings and even the Internet of Things (IoT).

What have been the biggest challenges for the OE-A organisation?
The huge diversity of applications, technologies, products and target industries has always been, and continues to be, a major challenge. There is a tremendous demand for information on new approaches, technologies and applications. Established industries such as semiconductors, automotive and medical tend to be very resistant to change, often taking years before they are ready to integrate new technologies. However, once they are convinced of the clear benefits, they tend to adopt and scale these innovations rapidly.
A very different challenge for our industry was Covid-19. Supply chain disruptions, energy costs, machine installation stoppages, order cancellations or development projects all challenged the industry during this time. But in the end, the industry has been remarkably resilient. It has also been disruptive for our association work in the OE-A. As a network and platform that connects stakeholders worldwide, the OE-A relies heavily on face-to-face interaction – something that wasn’t possible for an extended period of time. However, we quickly learned and adapted by moving fully online and very successfully establishing virtual member meetings and web seminars. These web seminars were well attended and remain a valuable part of our service portfolio today.

Let’s talk about products and innovation: Were there any products that were initially promising but did not perform as well in the marketplace as initially expected?
Innovation and the path to new products is rarely straightforward. Some promising ideas and concepts turn out to be uncompetitive or unscalable, while others emerge unexpectedly. Development and time to market often take longer than expected, but this is a normal part of the process with new technologies. Printed electronics has also experienced such challenges and detours. Looking back to 2004, fully printed RFID was seen as a promising product that attracted significant development effort and investment. In the end, however, this particular approach was not successful. Nevertheless, development continued, leading to a hybrid approach for NFC and RFID tags, combining printed antennas and wires with a tiny silicon chip. Today, this solution is being produced in billions and is playing a crucial role in improving the logistics chain and enabling the IoT. Another example is OLED technology for general lighting, which fell short of initial expectations. However, it has found success in the automotive industry as rear lights in cars, albeit in a much smaller market.

And were there any products whose development or market acceptance surprised you?
Other applications and technologies have developed over the years that were not on the radar 20 years ago, such as in-mould electronics. Injection-moulded curved or "3-dimensional" plastic parts with integrated touch-sensors or LEDs are now standard in many cars and white goods. The rapid development of electric vehicles has stimulated new applications for printed electronics, such as efficient and flexible heaters or battery management systems. And many printed electronics applications in medicine are on the rise, driven by demographic changes, exploding healthcare costs, a shortage of skilled workforce and, finally, Covid-19. Integrating sensors into clothing, bandages and other fabrics opens up a whole new world of possibilities and helps to address the challenges in this sector. We expect the growth to continue in the coming years, as outlined in the roadmap.

An anniversary is always an opportunity to look ahead: What are the OE-A’s plans for the next few years?
Our goal is to continue to grow our network of printed electronics enthusiasts and fill in the remaining gaps on the map. We aim to expand our services and support for members, working closely with the OE-A Board of Directors – a group of skilled industry and institute representatives who guide the direction, strategies and activities of the association.
In the short term, we’re focusing on a number of key events. Firstly, we’re looking forward to a successful member meeting at tesa in Hamburg on 24 and 25 September. We also have high hopes for well-attended sessions at the electronica tradeshow in Munich in November and an inspiring CES in January – both crucial events for our industry. Of course, the highlight of our year is LOPEC in February, the must-attend event for the printed electronics industry. Preparations are already underway, and I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones at the conference and exhibition.

What kind of support does the OE-A need from the government?
We expect several forms of support to drive the printed electronics industry forward. We need consistent support for start-ups and scale-ups. To bridge the "valley of death", the industry needs support in the critical phase between research and commercial viability. We expect the government to play a proactive role in the long-term strategic development of the printed electronics industry. This could include investing in research, fostering collaboration between industry and academia and developing policies that support sustainable growth. In terms of regulation, we want a regulatory environment that encourages experimentation and growth, while ensuring safety and reliability.

Let’s talk about the future: What visionary applications of printed electronics will be established in the next 5 to 10 years?
In medicine, we see an increasing shift from prescriptive care to preventive care, as mentioned above, clearly driven by demographic factors. In mobility, driven by electric vehicles and autonomous driving, we’re seeing new opportunities for printed sensors, integrated control and interface systems and advanced battery technologies.
For details, I’d like to refer you to the OE-A Roadmap. It includes updates on key technologies and capabilities, with contributions from over 100 industry experts providing detailed forecasts for markets such as automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, printing and packaging, smart buildings and the Internet of Things. We’re currently updating the OE-A Roadmap, with the 10th edition due to be published in 2026.

What will be the role of diverse teams in the  printed electronics industry in the future?
The field of printed electronics is characterised by its incredible diversity – not only in terms of the technologies and applications it encompasses, but also in the wide range of industries it touches. This diversity is also reflected in the workforce and the global collaboration that drives innovation in this field. By bringing together a diverse group of experts from different disciplines, cultural backgrounds and industries, we foster an environment where creativity and unique perspectives lead to breakthrough advances. Embracing diversity within our teams and partnerships is key to the success of printed electronics.

The future of the printed electronics industry depends not least on those at the beginning of their careers. How can the industry attract well-trained, motivated young talent to the industry?
The future of the printed electronics industry does indeed depend heavily on the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas of those just starting out in their careers. To attract well-trained and motivated young talent, we need to emphasise several key aspects of the industry. The printed electronics sector is at the forefront of technological innovation, offering opportunities to work with advanced materials and techniques that are shaping the future of electronics. The versatility of printed electronics means that it impacts a wide range of industries, from healthcare and automotive to consumer electronics and smart packaging. And, very importantly, the impact of sustainability! Printed electronics plays a vital role in the development of more sustainable technologies and processes. For those who are passionate about making a positive impact on the environment, working in this field offers the chance to contribute to greener solutions and sustainable practices.

The next milestone for the OE-A will be its 30th anniversary. Looking 10 years ahead, what will the PE landscape look like?
Looking 10 years ahead, I see a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape for printed electronics. Our robust international network, which has grown significantly over the past decade, will continue to thrive on cooperation, openness and interdisciplinary collaboration. This collaborative approach will be essential as the complexity of the field increases. No one can tackle these challenges alone. Sustainability and circularity will be at the forefront of innovation in printed electronics. We expect to see significant advances in sustainable production processes and materials, with many initiatives spanning the entire value chain. The integration of printed electronics into diverse applications – such as clothing, buildings, healthcare devices and automobiles – will become more prevalent, especially as the IoT expands into the industrial sector.
As the industry evolves, the need for collaboration will become even more critical. Complex challenges require shared expertise, and the ability of our community to work together will be key to unlocking the full potential of printed electronics in the coming decade. As we have said before, no one can do it alone.

Interview: OPE journal

Caption: "The success is a team effort," says Dr. Klaus Hecker, Managing Director of the OE-A. (Image source: OE-A)