The 9th Workshop on Flexible & Printed Electronics Industry (Targeting the Digital Transformation) – the leading event in the groundbreaking multi-billion sector of Flexible & Printed Electronics – co-organized by HOPE-A and the Nanotechnology Lab LTFN, which was held on the 22nd of October in Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens, concluded with great success and eagerness for collaborations which will make use of the sector’s potential and will drive the country’s economy forward.

The Workshop brought together top Stakeholders from Greece and from abroad coming from a wide range of fields where FPEs are applied and which FPEs revolutionize, i.e. Energy, Lighting, Electronics, the Automotive Industry and Transport, Intelligent Packaging, Smart Textiles and Wearables, Sensors and Biosensors, Healthcare, and their interconnection to the IoT which will digitally transform the Industry. Inspiring talks were given by internationally acknowledged scientists and engineers on how state-of-the-art technologies generated in Greece have to be exploited by the Industry. Key industrial players presented how they integrate FPEs in their business endeavors and what promising applications and challenges emerge. Business Associations and Cluster coordinators outlined their activities in coordinating industrial players with the scope to grab the chance lying ahead and create joint ventures. Moreover, representatives from Venture Capital firms and the European Commission informed the attendees on funding opportunities there are to support their entrepreneurial plans and collaborations.

photo left - Prof. S. Logothetidis, HOPE-A President, photo middle - (Mr. D. Mantis, President of the Association of Greek Manufacturers of Packaging & Materials, photo right - Dr. N. Li Pira, Centro Ricerche Fiat

photo left - Dr. G. Gkikas, A. Hatzopoulos S.A., photo right - Mr. P. Kitsikopoulos, ELVE

photo left - Ms A. Tasigiorgou, European Commission, photo right - Ms. K. Kanteraki, Metavallon VC

The Greek national authorities showed their actual support to the Workshop’s goals, where the Deputy Minister of Environment & Energy, Mr. S. Famellos, and the Director of the Office of the Minister of Digital Policy, Telecommunications & Media, Mr. P. Skoutas, greeted the event highlighting the significance the exploitation of FPEs holds for the country’s economy and position in the new digital era.

photo left - Dep. Minister of Environment & Energy, Mr. S. Famellos, photo right - Dir. Office of Minister of Digital Policy, Telecommunications & Media, Mr. P. Skoutas

In the networking sessions, the Workshop’s attendees shared their experiences, concerns and aspirations in order to find common ways of work towards the commercialization of this rapidly evolving field.

The Workshop was brought to an end with the Start-Up competition session, where Start-Ups pitched their business and the ones with the most innovative and well-structured plan were subsequently awarded. HOPE-A is at the forefront of promoting the Flexible Organic & Printed Electronics field, adding value to its members and bringing them close with international Stakeholders, with the scope to boost the country’s economy. Off to the next such inspiring Workshop!