Ontario Gov’t recognizes flexible, printable electronics as a priority

The Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA) has secured funding support from the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Growth – the first provincial government in Canada to recognize the value of this manufacturing sector to the nation’s innovation-driven economy.

The Government of Ontario will support the growth and execution of seven CPEIA events in Ontario through to the end of 2017. These events include CPES, Canada’s premier conference and trade show exhibition for printable, flexible and wearable electronics (PE).

PE market is a rapidly growing global industry

PE is an emerging market with commercial production already worth tens of billions worldwide. This rapidly growing global industry is expected to be worth US$70 billion by 2024, according to market research firm IDTechEx. Governments in Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere have been investing in this area given its enormous potential.

PE lies at the convergence of several industries in which Ontario has a strong track record – advanced materials, micro-electronics, information and communications technologies, printing and advanced manufacturing. It is a key enabling technology to increase the competitiveness of Ontario manufacturing in verticals such as connected homes, intelligent buildings, health care, wearable electronics, smart packaging, smart retail, smart textiles, automotive, and consumer electronics.

Technological innovation is a huge creator of economic value

“Our government recognizes that technological innovation is a huge creator of economic value and a driver of competitive advantage,” said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Growth. “We are pleased to support this emerging manufacturing sector because we know it has the potential to change Ontario’s innovation landscape and fuel economic growth in the province.”

More than 250 Canadian organizations are known to be active in this space. About 100 are in Ontario and 50 are already members of the CPEIA. These include industrial companies, as well as leading universities, colleges and research centres. In fact, many CPEIA industrial members from Ontario have commercial offerings in the market – 3M, CSAGroup, Information Mediary Corp., Jones Packaging, RFID Canada, Myant, Voltera, and Xerox.  An equally impressive set of companies are scaling up, such as Array Marketing, TUKU, OTI Lumionics, and Formi 3DP.

“Ontario has taken a huge stride to recognize the importance of our industry and endorse the CPEIA as a credible partner organization that is working hard to grow the province’s economy,” said Peter Kallai, President and CEO of the CPEIA. “We deeply appreciate the support of the Government of Ontario. There is a lot to be done to build our eco-system – this grant will enable us to continue in our efforts to create business opportunities, increase investments, and generate new jobs and prosperity for Ontario.”

“Ontario has the expertise, innovation and opportunity to revolutionize the PE sector, for substantial socio-economic benefits,” said Paul Smith, Chair of the CPEIA Board of Directors, vice-president/centre manager for the Xerox Research Centre of Canada.