Transparent Conductive Films, Barrier Films and Substrates for Flexible and Large-Area Electronics

Vital business intelligence covering technology and market assessment

The transparent conductive film (TCF) market went through a tough consolidation phase in the past few years. This phase was motivated by the sluggish growth in existing markets, disappointing growth in large-area devices, and the rising threat of substitutes to the incumbent players. These market conditions motivated the incumbent players to slash sales prices, transforming the competitive environment for alternative technologies. This strategy now approaches the end of its usefulness and therefore the industry is now entering into a new, distinct growth phase. In parallel, technological shifts in end use markets such as the transition from add-on to embedded touch adversely affected the addressable markets.

In this forum, we quantitatively review and benchmark all existing and emerging TCF technologies including ITO-on-glass, ITO films, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, graphene, printed metal mesh, embossed metal mesh, photo-patterned metal mesh, nanoparticle networks, PEDOT, and so on.

In addition, we will examine the various select existing and emerging applications such as touch screens, flexible devices, OLED lighting, third generation photovoltaics, in-mold 3D-shaped touch surfaces, and so on. Furthermore, we will consider the competitive landscape, reviewing major recent changes as well as offering an analysis for future market/competitive dynamics.

Substrates

Substrates are also an essential and often neglected layer for flexible and/or organic electronics. They bring robustness and enable flexibility, but at the same time place substantial constraints on the manufacturing process (e.g., thermal budget, dimensional stability) in a way that they can largely determine device performance. Many plastic solutions are now being offered such as PET and PEN but also paper based substrates are increasingly gaining attention while some seek stretchable, washable substrates.

Barrier Films

Organic devices, in particular OLED and OPV ones, are highly sensitive to moisture, requiring ultra-high performance barrier or encapsulation layers. Glass is an excellent barrier, but is rigid, therefore potentially stripping away organic electronics of a key differentiating attribute, which is flexibility. Developing flexible, transparent and ultra-high performance barriers has been challenging. Numerous solutions have however being developed across the world, ranging from ultra-thin flexible glass to multi-layer films or conformal coatings. Success here can change the economics of organic and/or printed electronics and is already enabling plastic (and soon flexible) displays.

This forum will provide deep depth including significant market data to allow you to understand these complex landscapes. Attendees will leave with a clear, quantified view of the markets, technology assessment, key players and their strategy for market adoption, with lessons from success and failures.

This forum can be attended on its own or in addition to the other sessions, which are complementary in subject matter. A discount is available for booking multiple sessions.

For those attending.

• The PDF files of the presentations will be available to download from this website after the sessions are ended.
• All Insight Forums will be conducted in English

Forum 4 / Agenda

5 December / Afternoon

Please join IDTechEx Analysts for lunch and networking from 13:00-14:00

Timings and the agenda are subject to change