The Smartrac Technology Group (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) recently announced that the Chinese e-commerce and retail provider Alibaba Group will invest in the company, reinforcing both parties’ commitment to strengthening brand protection strategies. Michael Evans, president of Alibaba Group, will join Smartrac’s supervisory board.
Ynvisible Interactive Inc. (Vancouver, Canada), a company that specialises in creating ultra-low power displays for printed electronics, has been granted an EU patent for a specialised electrolyte formulation that allows for the integration of electrochromic inks directly into the electrolyte layers. This formulation offers a reduction in the overall number of ink layers required to produce electrochromic devices, substantially increasing manufacturing efficiency.
Merck (Darmstadt, Germany), a leading science and technology company, recently presented its strategy to secure the future prospects of Performance Materials. The business sector comprises the specialty chemicals business of Merck and supplies solutions for displays, computer chips and surfaces of every kind. After 2019, Merck expects Performance Materials to resume earnings growth.
