Northeim - ContiTech Elastomer Coatings and SAUERESSIG FLEXO have agreed to collaborate in the field of printed electronics. The ContiTech business unit, which specializes in flexographic plates, among other things, has teamed up with the full-service printed electronics provider. They plan to combine their capabilities and experience to give common customers, such as printers and brand owners, easy entry into the printed electronics field. 

"The term 'printed electronics' includes electronic applications manufactured through printing processes. Instead of common printing inks this process uses functional fluids. Today, for example, this method is already used to manufacture RFID solutions, sensors and solar cells," explains Armin Senne, Flexo Business Manager at ContiTech Elastomer Coatings. "The opportunities for fast, cost-efficient, sustainable, and eco-friendly production in flexographic printing are wide-ranging in this business."

Complete solutions from one source

Both companies now offer complete solutions that can be used in an existing print infrastructure. The spectrum of services ranges from individual consulting and cost-efficient laboratory experiments to transfer of technology into production and after-sales service. ContiTech develops special elastomer printing plates adapted to printed electronics in flexographic printing processes. Using the Laser engraving process, the finest of structures can be achieved.

One of the core competencies of SAUERESSIG, a subsidiary of Matthews International Corp., is the production of printing plates for traditional packaging. In addition, they are experts in custom mechanical engineering, including laser engraved printing plates, laser technology, anilox rollers, inks, and drying, as well as printed electronics under the brand Saueressig easyPE^®. 

One goal of the collaboration is to allow print shops to expand their product portfolio, in an easy and cost-efficient manner, by printing electronic components such as printed circuit boards or RFID technology. "Upon request, we will introduce any interested customer to the opportunities and economic potential of printed electronics in advance," says Senne.