Solvay and Thin Film Electronics in R&D agreement

The aim of the joint development program is to optimize ferroelectric polymer materials to enhance the manufacture and performance of Thinfilm's memory technology; and to develop appropriate ink formulations for printed electronics. Printed electronics is a new, emerging industry that takes advantage of printing technologies to manufacture electronic devices with a wider variety of shapes and supports, including thin, flexible substrates. Through the use of proprietary technologies, these electronic circuits can be manufactured efficiently in traditional printing facilities at high volumes. This enables electronic functionality in a wealth of new products and applications. Examples include medical, educational and consumer goods: from singing gift cards to smart medical packaging, 'live' toys, cash cards and moving color pictures in electronic books. Applications that were previously too expensive to produce are now possible, including interactive and animated advertising in the printed press, speech-enabled food packaging that warns the consumer when the use-by date has elapsed or museum tickets with embedded interactive information for visitors. Low-cost mobile Internet devices combined with a Global Positioning (GPS) tracking function are also feasible and could be implemented for life-size games or to keep track of children in large open spaces. Johan Carlsson, CEO of Thin Film Electronics stated: "Solvay has the broadest range of high performance polymer products in the market. Their dedication and focus is on specialty polymers, fluorinated and non fluorinated. Solvay is an ideal partner for Thinfilm, enabling us to speed up the commercialization of our technology. The collaboration with Solvay will result in materials tailored for different printing technologies used in high-volume applications of our memory technology. It also gives us a solid partner with the know-how and the resources needed for optimizing and enhancing ferroelectric polymers for memory implementations, both the printed and the hybrid Silicon-based. In addition, with this agreement we have secured a long term supply of polymer materials for large volumes, as and when our customers are ramping up volume production." "Our goal is to constantly search for new opportunities in high growth markets, and to continuously boost our competitiveness with technological innovation. The agreement with Thinfilm will be an excellent opportunity for us to achieve our objectives, given Thinfilm's innovative technology and strong presence in the rapidly growing printed electronics market." commented Vincenzo Morici, General Manager of the Specialty Polymers Strategic Business Unit, Solvay.