The Printable Electronics Opportunity in Canada
It’s time for Canada to step upPrintable Electronics (PE) lies at the convergence of several industries in which Canada has a strong track record – advanced materials, micro-electronics, information and communications technologies, printing and advanced manufacturing.
Based on IDTechEx’s market forecasts, if Canada were to capture only 10 per cent of the estimated North American market by 2020, that would result in combined industry revenues of $1.2 billion for domestic companies.
This is only the beginning. The global market is estimated to reach $340 billion by 2030.
The opportunities are vast in a number of Canadian market verticals, including:
- ICT (for systems that will connect PE-enabled devices and objects)
- Energy (including oil and gas)
- Security
- Environment
- Packaging
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Automotive
After almost a decade supporting various PE projects, the National Research Council of Canada in 2012 launched a new flagship PE initiative, and spearheaded the creation of the PE Consortium (PEC). It has already invested tens of millions of dollars, alongside industry, to advance R&D.
PEC includes 14 Canadian companies that are already active in this exciting technology space, such as Krupack Packaging, Xerox Canada Inc., GGI International, RFID Canada, Jones Packaging Inc., MW Canada Ltd. and the Canadian Bank Note Company Ltd.
But more is needed.
To capitalize on the global PE opportunity, Canadian stakeholders in the sector need an Association that will serve as their common voice, to lead and assist Canadian industry in achieving rapid and sustained growth and competitiveness in global markets through PE.
This is the role of the Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA).
Our focus is on the full breadth of technologies and applications that relate to, can benefit from, enable, or be enabled by PE. This includes flexible, organic, embedded and integrated electronics, materials, and wearable technologies.
