Lord Mandelson has signalled the opportunity for the UK to become a significant centre for the development of next generation plastic electronics technology.
Launching the strategy at the QE2 Conference Centre in London, Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson said: “The UK is already a global leader in the Plastic Electronics sector thanks to our world-class science-base and our strengths in research, creativity and innovation."
"We now need a roadmap for the industry that takes it from cutting edge to mass market while keeping Britain firmly in front,” said Mandelson.
A industry-led strategy, entitled Plastic Electronics Strategy For Success: Realising the UK Potential, sets out an investment plan for government, industry and academia to work together to exploit printable electronics technology.
As part of this Swansea University has become a centre of excellence for plastic electronics.
As a centre of excellence the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC) will work with the printing community to enable the industry to use plastic electronics, together with existing skills and capital investment, to develop innovative new product lines, such as sensors for the automotive, aerospace and medical sectors.
"The Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, based in Swansea, has focused its’ research on the application of traditional printing methods to the manufacture of new and novel products," said Professor Tim Claypole, Director, Swansea University’s School of Engineering.
The UK has a number of start-up companies already developing plastic electronics technology for use in sensors and OLEDs.
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Swansea will become one of a network of four other UK centres of excellence.
According to Professor Ian Cluckie, Pro Vice Chancellor of Science and Engineering at Swansea University: "The Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating is not only an ‘exemplar’ for the Plastics Electronics sector but also one of many ‘hidden gems’ within Swansea University’s School of Engineering."
“This is an exciting time for everyone who has contributed to the development of the UK strategy and for the many businesses set to benefit from greater participation in the global supply-chain for Plastic Electronics,” said Cluckie.
A copy of the UK Strategy can be downloaded.