• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Printed Electronics
    • Raw Materials
    • Equipment
    • Services
    • Suppliers Guide
    • Resources
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Printed Electronics
  • Raw Materials
  • Equipment
  • Services
  • Suppliers Guide
  • Resources
  • Current & Past Issues
    Features
    Editorials
    Digital Edition
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Breaking News
    Experts Opinion
    Financial News
    Manufacturers News
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    Online Exclusives
    Personnel
    Product Releases
    Suppliers News
    Live From Shows
    Displays and Lighting
    Photovoltaics
    Printed Batteries
    Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics
    Flexible and Printed Electronics
    RFID and NFC
    Sensors and Wearables
    Smart Cards and Packaging
    Touch Screens
    Adhesives, Barriers and Encapsulants
    Chemicals, Metals and Powders
    Conductive Inks and Coatings
    Electronic Materials
    Film, Paper, Glass and Substrates
    Graphene, Perovskites and Carbon Nanotubes
    Nanomaterials
    Printed Electronic Components
    Research Reports
    Semiconductors and Quantum Dots
    Energy Curing Equipment
    Lab and Testing Equipment
    Manufacturing Equipment
    Printing Equipment
    3D Printing
    Contract Manufacturing Services
    Product Design and Testing
    Research and Consulting
    Research Institutions
    Research Reports
    Universities
    Equipment
    All Companies
    Materials
    Categories
    Converting
    Printed Electronics Systems
    Associations
    Research and Services
    Used Machinery
    Add New Company
    Industry Events
    Live from show events
    Podcasts
    Videos
    Blogs
    Slideshows
    Infographics
    Webinars
    Whitepapers
    Equipment and Services
    Glossary
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Suppliers Guide
      • Suppliers Guide
      • Add Your Company
    • Printed Electronics
      • Photovoltaics
      • Printed Batteries
      • Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics
      • Flexible and Printed Electronics
      • RFID and NFC
      • Sensors and Wearables
      • Smart Cards and Packaging
      • Touch Screens
    • Raw Materials
      • Adhesives, Barriers and Encapsulants
      • Chemicals, Metals and Powders
      • Conductive Inks and Coatings
      • Electronic Materials
      • Film, Paper, Glass and Substrates
      • Graphene, Perovskites and Carbon Nanotubes
      • Nanomaterials
      • Semiconductors and Quantum Dots
    • Equipment
      • Energy Curing Equipment
      • Lab and Testing Equipment
      • Manufacturing Equipment
      • Printing Equipment
      • 3D Printing
    • Services
      • Contract Manufacturing Services
      • Product Design and Testing
      • Research and Consulting
      • Research Institutions
      • Research Reports
      • Universities
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from show events
      • Webinars
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Expert's Opinion

    Integrated Electronics Trend to Drive In-Mold Electronics to $1.5 Billion by 2032: IDTechEx

    Among other applications, IME is an efficient approach to making curved touch-sensitive interfaces.

    Integrated Electronics Trend to Drive In-Mold Electronics to $1.5 Billion by 2032: IDTechEx
    Source: IDTechEx
    Related CONTENT
    • Jabil’s May Yap Awarded 2021 CIO of the Year by IDC Singapore
    • RFID is Improving the World of Healthcare
    • RDS Launches Tianma 13.3-inch Full HD TFT
    • Sensirion Opens New Sensor Production Site in Hungary
    • Jabil Board of Directors Appoints CEO Mark Mondello as Chairman of the Board
    IDTechEx09.22.21
    In-mold electronics enables electronic functionality to be embedded within molded and thermoformed plastic components. With the integration of capacitive touch, lighting, and even haptics alongside size and weight reductions of up to 70%, IME is an efficient approach to making curved touch-sensitive interfaces. Given these benefits, IDTechEx forecasts IME to be a $1.5 billion market by 2032, with applications mainly within the automotive and consumer goods sectors.

    Greater integration of electronics within 3D structures is an ever-increasing trend, representing a more sophisticated solution compared to the current approach of encasing rigid printed circuit boards. In-mold electronics (IME) facilitates this trend, by enabling multiple integrated functionalities to be incorporated into components with thermoformed 3D surfaces.

    A New Manufacturing Approach

    IME can be regarded as an extension of the well-established in-mold decorating (IMD) process, in which thermoforming plastic with a decorative coating is converted to a 3D component via injection molding. Since IME is an evolution of an existing technique, much of the existing process knowledge and capital equipment can be reused.

    Making an IME part begins with screen printing of conductive thermoformable inks, followed by deposition of electrically conductive adhesives and the mounting of electronics components such as LEDs. More complex multilayer circuits can also be produced by printing dielectric inks to enable crossovers. The figure below shows a schematic of the IME manufacturing process flow.

    Challenges and Innovation Opportunities

    The integration of electronic functionality brings multiple technical challenges, primarily the need for circuitry and components to withstand thermoforming and injection molding to enable the high manufacturing yield required. The  updated IDTechEx report, “In-Mold Electronics 2022-2032: Technology, Market Forecasts, Players,” covers the commercial and emerging solutions from the key players from design, materials and manufacturing as IME progresses from R&D to gaining widespread adoption in multiple application sectors.

    On the material side, conductive inks, dielectric inks and electrically conductive adhesives need to survive the forming and molding steps that involve elevated temperatures, pressure, and elongation. Furthermore, all the materials in the stack will need to be compatible. As such, many suppliers have established functional material portfolios for IME to position themselves for future growth.

    Commercial Progress

    IME is most applicable to use cases that require a decorative touch-sensitive surface, such as control panels in automotive interiors and on kitchen appliances. It enables a 3D, smooth, wipeable, decorative surface with integrated capacitive touch, lighting and even haptic feedback and antennas. While the first commercial examples are beginning to emerge in the consumer goods space, adoption in commercially available vehicle interiors has been delayed due to COVID-19.

    Despite this setback, the market is beginning to change character towards product production, with equipment suppliers developing specialist capabilities and development projects reaching their conclusion. IDTechEx expects the market to show accelerated growth from 2024/2025 onwards, starting from simpler small-area devices then progressing towards more complex larger-area and higher-volume applications with more stringent reliability requirements.

    The long-term target for IME is to become an established platform technology, much the same as rigid PCBs are today. Once this is achieved getting a component/circuit produced will be a simple matter of sending an electronic design file, rather than the time-consuming process of consulting with IME specialists that is required at present.
    Suggested For You
    Jabil’s May Yap Awarded 2021 CIO of the Year by IDC Singapore Jabil’s May Yap Awarded 2021 CIO of the Year by IDC Singapore
    RFID is Improving the World of Healthcare RFID is Improving the World of Healthcare
    RDS Launches Tianma 13.3-inch Full HD TFT RDS Launches Tianma 13.3-inch Full HD TFT
    Sensirion Opens New Sensor Production Site in Hungary Sensirion Opens New Sensor Production Site in Hungary
    Jabil Board of Directors Appoints CEO Mark Mondello as Chairman of the Board Jabil Board of Directors Appoints CEO Mark Mondello as Chairman of the Board
    Sensirion Acquires Machine Diagnostics Start-up AiSight Sensirion Acquires Machine Diagnostics Start-up AiSight
    Sogegross Group Increases Productivity with Zebra Technologies Sogegross Group Increases Productivity with Zebra Technologies
    Flex Receives Third Consecutive European Lenovo Logistics Excellence Award Flex Receives Third Consecutive European Lenovo Logistics Excellence Award
    JOLED Display Adopted for Newly-Announced ASUS OLED Monitor for HDR Content Creators JOLED Display Adopted for Newly-Announced ASUS OLED Monitor for HDR Content Creators
    ams OSRAM to Showcase Sensor Portfolio at Sensors Converge 2021 ams OSRAM to Showcase Sensor Portfolio at Sensors Converge 2021
    eMagin Finalizes $33.6 Million US DoD Contract for OLED Microdisplays eMagin Finalizes $33.6 Million US DoD Contract for OLED Microdisplays
    Seven in 10 Hospital Executives See Need to Invest More to Maximize Staff Efficiency Seven in 10 Hospital Executives See Need to Invest More to Maximize Staff Efficiency
    President Biden Makes Historic Visit to NREL President Biden Makes Historic Visit to NREL's Flatirons Campus
    Counterfeit-Proof and Unique Identification Shows Authenticity of Products Counterfeit-Proof and Unique Identification Shows Authenticity of Products
    IDTechEx Forecast Market for Fully Printed Sensors Will Reach $4.9 Billion by 2032 IDTechEx Forecast Market for Fully Printed Sensors Will Reach $4.9 Billion by 2032

    Related Expert's Opinion

    • Breaking News | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics | Research Reports
      IDTechEx Evaluates the Sustainability of 3D Electronics

      IDTechEx Evaluates the Sustainability of 3D Electronics

      Ease of recycling is generally the greatest sustainability concern for 3D electronics.
      Dr. Matthew Dyson, IDTechEx 04.28.22

    • 3D Printing | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics
      3D Electronics Enables Greater Integration: IDTechEx

      3D Electronics Enables Greater Integration: IDTechEx

      Three approaches are applying electronics to a 3D surface, in-mold electronics, and fully additive 3D electronics.
      Dr. Matt Dyson, IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst 04.01.22

    • Breaking News | Research Reports | RFID and NFC
      IDTechEx: The Market Momentum in RFID

      IDTechEx: The Market Momentum in RFID

      Retail apparel and footwear tagging is the largest UHF RFID market by tag volume as well as market value.
      Dr. Yu-Han Chang, IDTechEx Technology Analyst 01.14.22


    • Breaking News | Research Reports | RFID and NFC
      IDTechEx: What to Expect for the Future for RFID

      IDTechEx: What to Expect for the Future for RFID

      ...
      Dr. Yu-Han Chang, IDTechEx Technology Analyst 12.07.21

    • Breaking News | Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics | Research Reports
      IDTechEx: In-Mold Electronics: Short Term Pain - Long Term Gain

      IDTechEx: In-Mold Electronics: Short Term Pain - Long Term Gain

      This greater integration means that IME will enable reduced fewer parts/materials and fewer assembly processes overall.
      Dr. Matthew Dyson, IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst 11.09.21

    • Manufacturers News | Sensors and Wearables
      The Lab of the Future May Be Here Before We Know It

      The Lab of the Future May Be Here Before We Know It

      Spurred by COVID-19, the momentum for digital tech in lab research is growing and brings a broad digital toolkit that includes AI, robotics, and IoT sensors.
      Cole McCollum, Lux Research Analyst 11.04.21


    • Breaking News | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Research Reports | Sensors and Wearables
      IDTechEx Forecast Market for Fully Printed Sensors Will Reach $4.9 Billion by 2032

      IDTechEx Forecast Market for Fully Printed Sensors Will Reach $4.9 Billion by 2032

      There are multiple factors that are driving the adoption of many types of printed/flexible sensors.
      Dr. Matthew Dyson, IDTechEx 09.14.21

    • Breaking News | Manufacturers News | Sensors and Wearables | Suppliers News
      IDTechEx: The Killer App For Smart Textiles

      IDTechEx: The Killer App For Smart Textiles

      To date, the most successful electronic textile product type is heated apparel.
      08.12.21

    • Breaking News | Displays and Lighting | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Research Reports | Sensors and Wearables
      IDTechEx Discusses Functional Automotive Exteriors With Printed/Flexible Electronics

      IDTechEx Discusses Functional Automotive Exteriors With Printed/Flexible Electronics

      Connected cars require integrated antennas, sensors and more.
      Dr Matthew Dyson, IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst 08.02.21


    • Breaking News | Graphene, Perovskites and Carbon Nanotubes | Manufacturers News | Research Institutions | Sensors and Wearables
      Graphene Creates Textiles of the Future

      Graphene Creates Textiles of the Future

      Graphene enabled e-textile for future human-machine interfaces.
      Erik Khranovskyy, Grafen CEO 07.09.21

    • Breaking News | Graphene, Perovskites and Carbon Nanotubes | Suppliers News
      IDTechEx Discusses If the Funding for Graphene has Dried Up

      IDTechEx Discusses If the Funding for Graphene has Dried Up

      In 2020, the key graphene funding was mainly related to energy storage.
      Dr. Richard Collins, IDTechEx Principal Analyst 07.05.21

    • Breaking News | Displays and Lighting | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News
      Royole Launches RoKit Open Platform Flexible Electronics Development Kit

      Royole Launches RoKit Open Platform Flexible Electronics Development Kit

      Every sector stands to benefit from the implementation of flexible electronics.
      Bill Liu, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Royole 06.22.21


    • Breaking News | Displays and Lighting | Experts Opinion | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Research Reports | Sensors and Wearables
      Shift to Electric Vehicles to Drive Printed Electronics Auto Market to $12.7 Billion by 2031

      Shift to Electric Vehicles to Drive Printed Electronics Auto Market to $12.7 Billion by 2031

      The ability to make electronics on thin flexible substrates enables weight to be reduced, a key consideration for electric vehicles, IDTechEx writes.
      IDTechEx 05.05.21

    • Breaking News | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics | Semiconductors and Quantum Dots | Suppliers News
      Canatu: Q&A with CTO Ilkka Varjos

      Canatu: Q&A with CTO Ilkka Varjos

      Canatu CNB free-standing film creates unique value for EUV applications.
      Canatu 01.26.21

    • Breaking News | Research Reports | Semiconductors and Quantum Dots
      SEMI: 2019 Global Semiconductor Equipment Sales Slip 7% to $59.8 Billion

      SEMI: 2019 Global Semiconductor Equipment Sales Slip 7% to $59.8 Billion

      Drop from the all-time high of $64.5 billion in 2018, per SEMI.
      04.14.20

    Breaking News
    • Emerson Earns Third Consecutive 2022 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award
    • First Solar to Sell Japan Project Development, O&M Platforms to PAG Real Assets
    • Jabil Strengthens Additive Manufacturing Offerings
    • Avery Dennison, Wiliot Partner to Build and Scale the Future of IoT
    • HP Delivers Enhanced Platform Capabilities to Accelerate Additive Manufacturing Production at Scale
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    Winter 2021

    • Printed Electronics Now’s International Suppliers’ Directory
    • The Automotive Market and Flexible and Printed Electronics
    • Flexible and Printed Electronics in Healthcare
    • Flexible and Printed Electronics Make Gains in Smart Packaging
    • PAPERONICS: Low-cost multisensory paper and packaging applications
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    FDA Warns About Steroids or Steroid-Like Substances in Bodybuilding Supplements
    Nootropics and Adaptogens Respond to Demand for Mind and Mood Support
    Sabinsa Honors 70th Anniversary of Diplomacy Between India and Japan
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    DIC’s Indian Subsidiary Begins Construction of Coating Resins Production Facility
    Celanese Declares Force Majeure on Acetyl Chain and Acetate Tow Products
    CPI Announces New Hybrid Professional Development Program for 2022
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Innosuisse Awards $12.1 Million to Project for Futuristic Surgical Training
    XACT ACE OK'ed for Robotic Ablation Probe Insertion, Steering
    Nonin Medical Appoints Five New Board Members
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Grand Opening of Kodiak Sciences’ Bioconjugation Facility
    Vertex Expands Cell and Gene Therapy Footprint
    AffyXell Expands Manufacturing Partnership with GenScript ProBio
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Nu Skin Joins EcoBeautyScore Consortium
    Nails Inc Partners with Magnum, Expands Chocolate-Scented Nail Polish Line
    Aveda is Leaping Bunny Approved by Cruelty Free International
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    P&G Temporarily Closes Downtown Cincinnati Office Due to Potential Security Concerns
    Eucerin Expands into US Sun Protection Market with New Sun Line
    Mielle Organics Appoints Entrepreneur Steve Pamon to Advisory Board
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    ProAmpac Facilities Secure Safety Awards 2022
    Ball Corporation Enters Agreement for New Wind Energy
    Essentra Packaging Invests in Landa S10 Nanographic Press
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Essentra Packaging invests in Landa Nanographic press
    Nazdar to manufacture VFP electronic ink for US Market
    SunDance moves into flexible packaging with HP Indigo
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    'Right' Hygiene Conference to be Held in June
    Freudenberg to Present Battery Pack and Liquid Absorbers at Battery Show
    H&V Appoints Vice President and General Counsel
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Exactech Earns Breakthrough Status for JointMedica's Polymotion Hip Resurfacing
    Orthotic Brace Suppliers Convicted in $6.5M Fraud Scheme
    GE Additive and Orchid Partner to Advance Scalable Metal 3D Printing
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Emerson Earns Third Consecutive 2022 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award
    First Solar to Sell Japan Project Development, O&M Platforms to PAG Real Assets
    Jabil Strengthens Additive Manufacturing Offerings

    Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login