Highlights Of Industry Meet On “Enabling Eco- System, Printable Electronics Manufacturing In India

This event spotlighted India’s readiness to revolutionise flexible electronics manufacturing and its impact across diverse industries.

India is rapidly emerging as a hub for flexible and printable electronics, due to initiatives at institutions like IIT Kanpur’s National Center for Flexible Electronics. Backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the center is fostering innovation in sectors ranging from healthcare to packaging and displays. The focus is on creating light, bendable, and cost-effective solutions that align with the growing global demand for sustainable and efficient technologies.

The National Centre for Flexible Electronics (NCFlexE) hosted an insightful session on the rapidly evolving landscape of printable electronics manufacturing in India. Welcoming the attendees was Dr. Sudheer Kumar, Chief Operating Officer, NCFlexE, who set the tone for the event with a forward-looking address emphasizing the transformative potential of flexible and printable electronics in India’s industrial ecosystem.

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Prof. Siddhartha Panda, Coordinator, NCFlexE, highlighted the immense opportunity for India to emerge as a global hub in printable electronics, driven by advancements in material science, scalable processes, and an expanding talent pool. Prof. Panda called attention to India’s strategic position to attract investment and accelerate growth in this sector.The session, moderated by Dr. Sudheer Kumar, delved into the emerging applications and challenges in the manufacturing of printable electronics. Key industry leaders shared their insights, including:

• Mr. Ankit Gupta, Managing Director of HOLOSTIK India Ltd., who spoke about the critical role of advanced security solutions in printable electronics.
• Mr. Ragash Thachat, General Manager at Murata Business Engineering Pvt. Ltd., discussed integration challenges and opportunities in consumer and industrial electronics.
• Mr. Prasad Madhavabhotla, Group Head and Director at Applied Materials India, explored the potential of flexible displays and engineering breakthroughs driving innovation.

Flexible electronics are making strides in healthcare, with devices like wearable sensors and point-of-care technologies gaining traction. These innovations promise to revolutionize home care and telemedicine, allowing patients to receive quality care remotely. In logistics and retail, robotics and IoT are enhancing operations, creating new opportunities for hybrid electronic solutions. Similarly, in the food industry, advances in sensor technology are addressing critical challenges like food adulteration. The global market for flexible electronics is projected to soar, with estimates suggesting a valuation of $11.5 billion in 2023, growing substantially in the coming years. India’s robust chemical production capabilities position it well for this sector, though gaps in electronic material manufacturing and printing persist.

The path ahead involves stronger collaboration between academia and industry. Initiatives like IIT Kanpur’s emphasize the importance of indigenous innovation, aiming to align India’s capabilities with global standards. As the nation pushes toward self-reliance, the electronics sector stands as a beacon of technological and economic growth.

The event’s highlight was a keynote address by Dr. Virendra Gupta, Senior Vice President of R&D at Reliance Industries Ltd., who discussed “Polymer Innovations – Accelerating Growth in Transforming Industries.” Dr. Gupta emphasized that breakthroughs in polymer materials would be instrumental in scaling up the production of flexible electronic components, particularly in healthcare, automotive, and IoT applications. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A led by Prof. Yashowanta N Mohapatra of IIT Kanpur. Participants addressed the roadblocks and opportunities in shaping India as a leader in printable electronics manufacturing.