With their specific skills, the partners from science and business networked in the excellence cluster Forum Organic Electronics cover different areas of the organic electronics value chain, so that together they cover it completely: starting with materials development, to the production of components and systems, all the way to the production and sale of new applications. The partners are involved in cooperation along the entire value chain, not just in relation to the next step. The aim is to integrate real market needs into the research work of all those involved at an early stage, in order to avoid so-called over-engineering and to achieve fast, target-oriented research results.
Development of materials
Since organic electronics is still in its early stages, there is currently a significant focus on the development of suitable organic materials for the production of the electronic components required. The excellence cluster is in an excellent position in this area. With the world's largest chemicals corporation BASF SE and the world market leader in liquid crystals for LED screens, Merck KGaA, the excellence cluster has the greatest industrial expertise in the world in material development at its disposal. This is ideally complemented on the part of universities, for example by the scientific and technical skills of the elite Universities of Heidelberg and Karlsruhe.
Manufacture of components and systems
Further leading companies are active in the excellence cluster in the manufacture of components and systems. For example, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, the world market leader in offset printing machinery, is working on the development of a printing technology for electronic components based on organic materials, which will be necessary for cost-effective mass production.
Marketing of products and applications
The application side, too, is outstandingly represented in the excellence cluster. Lighting manufacturers such as Osram and Philips are working towards marketing lighting systems with organic light diodes. Roche Diagnostics GmbH is aiming to introduce organic sensors for glucose measurement. SAP AG is developing software which maps the new business processes made possible by smart labels.
