• 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
    Features

    The 2021 Conductive Ink Market

    The conductive ink industry is growing with new applications on the horizon, but silver prices remain a concern.

    The 2021 Conductive Ink Market
    Conductivities of conductive inks. (Chart courtesy of IDTechEx)
    Related CONTENT
    • RDS Launches Tianma 13.3-inch Full HD TFT
    • SEMI: North American Semiconductor Equipment Posts $3.65 Billion in Billings in August 2021
    • Sustainability and the Flexible and Printed Electronics Industry
    • Sensirion Opens New Sensor Production Site in Hungary
    • Jabil Board of Directors Appoints CEO Mark Mondello as Chairman of the Board
    David Savastano, Editor09.22.21
    Conductive inks and pastes are key to creating flexible and hybrid electronics. Conductive materials allow the printed portion of the device to function electronically. It is also a sizable market: estimates place the conductive ink segment at more than $2 billion.

    Conductive inks can be made from any material that is, well, conductive. Silver and carbon-based inks are the primary choices, with copper of interest. However, copper has issues with oxidation that make it less ideal. Nanoparticle-based and particle-free alternatives are also emerging, but they are higher cost.

    Dr. Matthew Dyson, technology analyst with IDTechEx, notes that IDTechEx estimates the current conductive ink market size as $2.3 billion, with silver the primary material.

    “Almost 80% is silver flake-based ink that is used to make the conductive fingers on silicon solar panels,” Dr. Dyson reported. “While the market for this application is established and may even decline in the future as new technologies are adopted, there is extensive growth in flake-based inks for other applications, and also in emerging categories of conductive inks such as nanoparticle-based and particle-free inks.”

    Khasha Ghaffarzadeh, CEO of TechBlick, a year-round event series with more than 350+ analyst selected live online presentations and 10-plus masterclasses, talked about the latest dynamics of the conductive inks market.

    “Conductive inks are found in anything from a baby diaper to a precision missible,” Ghaffarzadeh said. “This makes the market wonderfully diverse and excellent at always adapting itself, rejuvenating itself, and re-inventing itself.”

    Photovoltaics is the largest market, as conductive materials are used on the back of solar cells. Aside from photovoltaics, sensors, wearables and in-mold electronics are potentially sizable markets.

    “This market is growing,” said Ghaffarzadeh. “Broadly speaking, we can talk of established and emerging applications. In the latter bucket, we have the huge, almost irreplaceable, solar cell market as well as other important markets like printed HMIs, LTCC metallization, and others.

    “Those are fundamental to the industry, but the excitement is really in the emerging applications. Now here I could list many opportunities such as in-mold electronics, eTextiles, 5G filters, EMI shielding, sintered die attach paste, electrodes and skin patches, electrodes in CGMs and other biosensors, uLED substrate metallization, and many more,” Ghaffarzadeh added.

    “In the near term, the biggest growth opportunities would appear to be wearable electronic skin patches and in-mold electronics,” Dr. Dyson observed. “Electronic skin patches require stretchable conductive ink, along with printed conductive electrodes in many cases, and are projected by IDTechEx to reach a market size of $38 billion by 2030.

    “In-mold electronics (IME), and the closely related film-insert molding, is another application opportunity. Integrating electronics within plastic panels reduces weight, complexity and assembly costs. IME is thus highly applicable to automotive interiors, household appliances and even some consumer goods ,” he added.

    Toward the end of the decade, Dr. Dyson sees applications in partially additive electronics manufacturing, for example, printing wiring onto existing 3D structures, and also in smart packaging .

    “Even further into the future, electromagnetic meta-surfaces that assist in the propagation and directing of the higher frequencies that will be used for telecommunications may represent a huge market for conductive ink,” he noted.

    “The wide variety of applications for printed electronics means that there are many opportunities for differentiation within conductive inks,” Dr. Dyson noted. “Wearable electronics require inks that are stretchable to various extents and can withstand repeated mechanical flexing. The requirements for IME are slightly different, in that inks need to withstand the temperature and pressure associated with thermoforming.”

    However, there are still requirements that conductive ink manufacturers need to address.

    “Considering conductive inks more broadly, the main challenges are durability and cost,” added Dr. Dyson. “Utilizing printed inks in harsh environments, such as automotive applications, means that they need to withstand repeated thermal cycling from -40°C to 80°C, while of course, silver-based inks are vulnerable to metal price rises.”

    THE PRICE OF SILVER INKS

    That silver price volatility can be significant. IDTechEx’s analysts say that rising silver metal prices could lead to changes in the composition of conductive ink markets.

    “The most obvious is an acceleration in the transition from silver to copper, with the latter metal currently over 100x cheaper at around $8/kg,” IDTechEx’s analysts reported. “This price differential means that replacing silver with copper has long been highly desirable. However, it has proved extremely challenging since copper is far more reactive than silver and oxidizes relatively quickly in the air to insulating copper oxide.”

    The analysts noted that a range of technical approaches have been tried to avoid oxidation when printing with copper rather than silver inks, including making copper nanoparticles with a silver shell and printing the copper under an inert atmosphere.

    “However, these strategies saw little success as they increased the cost of the printing process while reducing durability. Recent promising approaches, which are beginning to gain commercial traction, involve incorporating additives into copper nanoparticle-based inks that are believed to act as a reducing agent during sintering,” the IDTechEx analysts concluded.

    MATERIALS FOR CONDUCTIVE INKS

    Silver remains by far the dominant material due to its high conductivity and resistance to oxidation, and carbon-based materials as well as copper are drawing interest.

    Dr. Dyson said that the ideal material would be highly conductive, inexpensive and very chemically stable, but achieving all three simultaneously is very challenging.

    “Both carbon nanotubes and graphene-based inks have been discussed as alternatives to silver, but thus far have experienced little traction as direct replacements,” Dr. Dyson noted. “Instead, they are more likely to find success in niche applications when silver ink is unsuitable. This could be due to a requirement for transparency, specific mechanical properties, or if there are concerns about the sustainability of silver once the product is disposed of.”

    Ghaffarzadeh said that graphene has its place.

    “In simplistic terms, one can think of it as an enhanced carbon inks, as its conductivity sits above carbon and some way below metal inks such as silver or copper inks,” he added. “It is however already being applied, for example, in large area heating applications.”

    Ghaffarzadeh noted that copper ink is an active field again.

    “I would say that copper has faced a credibility gap, as many over-promised and under-delivered,” Ghaffarzadeh observed. “The need for special curing machines as well as special treatment was always a hindrance. The cost structure was also not as favorable as one might expect based on raw copper prices.

    “Copper inks were often lower conductivity, which meant more of them was needed, shrinking the potential price difference with silver,” Ghaffarzadeh added. “Nanocopper production could also have low yield due to oxidation, driving up costs. Now there are some exciting results with low-temperature and rapid sinter copper pastes and inks that exhibit good conductivity. It would argue that copper deserves to be given yet another deep look given the latest results.”

    “Significant progress is being made on conductive copper inks, which offer both cost and sustainability benefits relative to silver,” Dr. Dyson added. “Utilizing copper hydride to generate an inert atmosphere in-situ enables oxidation to be avoided during deposition/sintering, but printed copper traces will require excellent encapsulation to prevent oxidation once incorporated into a product.” 
    Suggested For You
    Sustainability and the Flexible and Printed Electronics Industry Sustainability and the Flexible and Printed Electronics Industry
    RDS Launches Tianma 13.3-inch Full HD TFT RDS Launches Tianma 13.3-inch Full HD TFT
    SEMI: North American Semiconductor Equipment Posts $3.65 Billion in Billings in August 2021 SEMI: North American Semiconductor Equipment Posts $3.65 Billion in Billings in August 2021
    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
    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
    The Future of Agriculture Combined With Renewable Energy Finds Success at Jack’s Solar Garden The Future of Agriculture Combined With Renewable Energy Finds Success at Jack’s Solar Garden

    Related Features

    • 3D Printing | Adhesives, Barriers and Encapsulants | Chemicals, Metals and Powders | Conductive Inks and Coatings | Consulting | Contract Manufacturing/Printing | Electronic Materials | Energy Curing/Sintering | Film, Paper, Glass and Substrates | Graphene, Perovskites and Carbon Nanotubes | Lab and Testing | Manufacturers News | Manufacturing | Nanomaterials | Printing | Product Design and Testing | Research Institutions | Semiconductors and Quantum Dots | Suppliers News | Universities
      Printed Electronics Now’s International Suppliers’ Directory

      Printed Electronics Now’s International Suppliers’ Directory

      Printed Electronics Now’s International Suppliers Guide offers comprehensive information on printed electronics systems, materials, equipment, services and more
      David Savastano, Editor 12.20.21

    • Displays and Lighting | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics | Sensors and Wearables | Suppliers News
      The Automotive Market and  Flexible and Printed Electronics

      The Automotive Market and Flexible and Printed Electronics

      From OLEDs to steering wheels to sensors, seat belts, printed heaters, flexible and printed electronics are becoming ever more important in cars and trucks.
      David Savastano, Editor 12.20.21

    • Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | Sensors and Wearables | Smart Cards and Packaging | Suppliers News
      Flexible and Printed Electronics in Healthcare

      Flexible and Printed Electronics in Healthcare

      From wearables to sensors, flexible and printed electronics are helping healthcare professionals and patients alike.
      David Savastano, Editor 12.20.21


    • Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | Smart Cards and Packaging | Suppliers News
      Flexible and Printed Electronics Make Gains in Smart Packaging

      Flexible and Printed Electronics Make Gains in Smart Packaging

      Product identification, customer interaction and inventory accuracy are key drivers.
      David Savastano, Editor 12.20.21

    • Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | Research Institutions | Smart Cards and Packaging | Suppliers News | Universities
      PAPERONICS: Low-cost multisensory paper and packaging applications

      PAPERONICS: Low-cost multisensory paper and packaging applications

      PAPERONICS was launched within the European CORNET framework.
      Prof. Wim Deferme, University of Hasselt 12.20.21

    • Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | Sensors and Wearables | Suppliers News
      Flexible and Printed Electronics are Becoming More Mainstream

      Flexible and Printed Electronics are Becoming More Mainstream

      Wearables, medical devices, and automotive are key growth areas for commercialization.
      David Savastano, Editor 09.22.21


    • Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | Photovoltaics | Sensors and Wearables | Suppliers News
      Sustainability and  Flexible and Printed  Electronics

      Sustainability and Flexible and Printed Electronics

      As the industry makes inroads, the questions of sustainability and recyclability are drawing attention.
      David Savastano, Editor 09.22.21

    • Manufacturers News | Sensors and Wearables
      Flexible and Printed Sensors Gain in Key Markets

      Flexible and Printed Sensors Gain in Key Markets

      Flexible sensors are enjoying opportunities in a wide range of markets, including automotive, health care, environmental and others.
      David Savastano, Editor 09.22.21

    • Manufacturers News | RFID and NFC
      RFID is Improving the World of Healthcare

      RFID is Improving the World of Healthcare

      Connectivity, inventory control and monitoring patients’ use of medicine are among the many examples of how RFID and NFC are improving our healthcare.
      David Savastano, Editor 09.22.21


    • Adhesives, Barriers and Encapsulants | Conductive Inks and Coatings | Displays and Lighting | Electronic Materials | Energy Curing/Sintering | Film, Paper, Glass and Substrates | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Lab and Testing | Manufacturers News | Manufacturing | Photovoltaics | Printed Batteries | Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics | Printing | RFID and NFC | Semiconductors and Quantum Dots | Sensors and Wearables | Smart Cards and Packaging | Suppliers News
      Printed Electronics Now’s International Suppliers’ Directory

      Printed Electronics Now’s International Suppliers’ Directory

      ...
      Printed Electronics Now staff 11.04.20

    • Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | RFID and NFC | Sensors and Wearables | Suppliers News
      Flexible Electronics Is Proving to Be Ideal for Healthcare

      Flexible Electronics Is Proving to Be Ideal for Healthcare

      COVID-19 pandemic has shown the increased need for sensors and wearables with conformable form factors.
      David Savastano, Editor 11.04.20

    • Conductive Inks and Coatings | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics | RFID and NFC | Sensors and Wearables | Suppliers News
      COVID-19 and the Printed Electronics Industry

      COVID-19 and the Printed Electronics Industry

      Companies are trying to navigate a new business climate during the pandemic
      Anthony Locicero, Associate Editor 11.04.20


    • Manufacturers News | RFID and NFC | Smart Cards and Packaging | Suppliers News
      Smart Packaging Looks to Move Forward

      Smart Packaging Looks to Move Forward

      Best opportunities are in healthcare, luxury items like liquor and cosmetics.
      David Savastano, Editor 11.04.20

    • Conductive Inks and Coatings | Displays and Lighting | Flexible and Printed Electronics | Lab and Testing | Manufacturers News | Manufacturing | Sensors and Wearables | Smart Cards and Packaging | Suppliers News
      Electronic & Conductive Ink Conference Showcases Future of Ink Technology

      Electronic & Conductive Ink Conference Showcases Future of Ink Technology

      Highlights include talks on conductive inks, smart packaging, displays, sensors, healthcare, equipment and testing.
      David Savastano, Editor 11.04.20

    • Flexible and Printed Electronics | Manufacturers News | Printed Circuit Boards/Membrane Switches/In Mold Electronics | RFID and NFC | Sensors and Wearables | Smart Cards and Packaging
      Flexible and Printed Electronics are Reaching the Mainstream

      Flexible and Printed Electronics are Reaching the Mainstream

      The industry is seeing new products reach commercialization, whether it is sensors, wearables, in-mold electronics or more.
      David Savastano, Editor 02.21.20

    Breaking News
    • Weekly Recap: Graphene Flagship, Japan Display and LG Display Top This Week’s Stories
    • Evonik Launches New Processing Aids for PV Wafer Cutting
    • NREL Creates Highest Efficiency 1-Sun Solar Cell
    • eMagin Wins People’s Choice Award at Display Week 2022
    • Wiliot Launches Battery-Assisted Version of its IoT Pixel Tags
    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

    GOED Creates Infographic Highlighting Omega-3 Health Claims Approved in Europe
    Kyowa Hakko Appoints Dr. Colin Hill to Immuse Scientific Advisory Board
    Expert Consensus Statement: Diet is Best Primary Intervention to Achieve Diabetes Remission
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Teknos Receives EcoVadis Gold Medal for Sustainability Performance
    AkzoNobel and Partners Team Up to Hack Carbon Reduction Challenges
    Five PPG Facilities in Ohio Recognized for Sustainability, Health, Safety Practices
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—May 21
    Iterative Scopes Expands its Senior Leadership Team
    Viz.ai Raises $100 Million in Series D Funding
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Piramal Pharma Solutions New API Plant in Canada Now Online
    MG America Appoints Claudio Radossi as President
    Catalent Invests $175M to Expand Mfg. Capabilities at Winchester, KY
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Authentic Beauty Concept Launches Second-Generation ‘Refill Bar’
    HASK Beauty Enters Exclusive Partnership with Amazon
    Garance Doré Launches Made in France Skincare Line
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    SPF Setting Spray, Lip Contour and Knotless Braids Are Hot Trends: Spate
    Nutrafol Launches Collagen Infusion
    ÄZ Craft Luxury Haircare Products Support All Hairstyles
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Weekly Recap: Zeller+Gmelin, Sun Chemical and Kornit Top This Week’s News
    Nazdar Celebrates 100 Years with a New Look
    hubergroup Chemicals Exhibits at Paint India for First Time
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Specialty announces move to new facility
    Mark Andy hosts dealer's open house in Warsaw
    Nazdar celebrates 100th anniversary with refreshed brand identity
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    3M to Expand in Nebraska
    Nicely Offers Nonwoven Slitters, Winders
    'Right' Hygiene Conference to be Held in June
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    ODT's Most Read Stories This Week—May 21
    FDA Clears Anika Therapeutics' X-Twist Knotless Fixation System
    Paragon 28 Rolls Out TenoTac 2.0 Hammertoe and Soft Tissue Repair
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Weekly Recap: Graphene Flagship, Japan Display and LG Display Top This Week’s Stories
    Evonik Launches New Processing Aids for PV Wafer Cutting
    NREL Creates Highest Efficiency 1-Sun Solar Cell

    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