In a move indicative to its commitment to the printed electronics sector, speciality chemicals manufacturer Solvay (Brussels / Belgium; www.solvay.com) has injected EUR 10m into Plextronics (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / USA; www.plextronics.com). The money is to go towards accelerating the US company's technology development and ensuring its innovations become available to a growing global customer base. Solvay has been the largest minority shareholder in the company since it first bought into it in 2007 – see Plasteurope.com of 11.09.2007.

The Pittsburgh-based entity specialises in polymer-based materials and technologies for printed electronics applications, including organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), OLED displays and lighting as well as organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs). Commenting on the financial injection, Léopold Demiddeleer, head of Future Businesses & Corporate Platforms at Solvay’s Innovation Centre, said: “The adoption of OLED technology is a visible sign that organix and printed electronics are on the verge of becoming a major market for advanced materials.”

A study conducted by UK consultancy IDTechEx (Cambridge; www.idtechex.com) in 2010 forecast the global market for printed organic electronic and electric devices tol reach USD 310 bn in 2030 – see also Plasteurope.com of 27.07.2010.