Imprinted organic circuit firm PragmatIC Printing is moving to pilot production; at PETeC, the UK's printable electronics development centre in Sedgefield.
"As well as supporting commercial production for low volume applications, the pilot line also provides a platform for the collaborative PragmatIC Pilot Production Program [P4]," said PragmatIC.
P4 will involve the entire value chain for deployment of PragmatIC's technology - including licensees for high volume production, complementary technology providers, systems integrators such as converters and labellers, and end users including major brand owners.
PragmatIC's sub-micron technology produces logic from a single layer of semiconductor by a pressing process.
It was invented Professor Aimin Song at the University of Manchester, and was acquired in 2010 from start-up Nano ePrint,
"A key advantage of this approach to printed logic is that it delivers unrivalled density and performance in a unique form factor, while employing mature, proven processes and readily available equipment," claimed PragmatIC. "This approach enables a rapid transition to commercial production, with the pilot line intended to commence operation by the fourth quarter of 2012."
Greeting's card firm Hallmark and paper company De La Rue have both demonstrated prototypes using the process to add electronics to paper products.
"We welcome interest from all those in the industry who want to make printed electronics products a reality, and encourage collaborative participation in our P4 initiative." said PragmatIC CEO Scott White.
PETeC is part of The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI).