OE-A Business Climate Survey: Printed Electronics Industry Remains Positive but Cautious in 2024

• Revenue growth of 13 percent projected for 2024 over 2023

• Companies expect growth to continue in 2025: +17 percent

• Strong increase in production investment planned

The results of the latest OE-A Business Climate Survey show slightly lower expectations for 2024 compared to the projections made in the 2023 surveys. However, the decline is at a high level: For 2024,responding association members expect a 13 percent increase in revenue for the flexible and printed electronics industry. “Our industry is even more confident in 2025, with an estimated growth of 17 percent. The relatively young Printed Electronics industry has come a long way in the last 15years. I am convinced that we are on the right track, despite the challenging geopolitical situation,” said Dr. Alain Schumacher, OE-A Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer at IEE in Luxembourg. The results of the OE-A Business Climate Survey were presented at the
international press conference at LOPEC 2024 in Munich, Germany. The bi-annual survey is conducted by the Organic and Printed Electronics Association (OE-A), an international working group within VDMA. For each survey, OE-A member organizations from the entire value chain, from R&D to material suppliers to end users, are asked to provide qualitative data on the state of the industry, expected sales development and markets.

The positive picture is reinforced by the fact that 74 percent of respondents expect further growth and development in 2024 (Oct. 2023: 46%). This increase shows that the printed electronics industry is convinced that impulses will come from the targeted end-user industries such as Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Medical & Pharmaceutical and Packaging.

OE-A expects 13 percent revenue growth by 2024

With expected revenue growth of 13 percent, the printed electronics community is slightly
less optimistic than in the fall of 2023 (+18 percent). By 2025, the industry’s outlook
brightens to an expected revenue growth of 17 percent. More than half of the companies expect to increase their investments in production within the next 6 months (53%), while the other half expects to keep investments at a constant level. We see a similarly stable picture for research and development: Half of the companies surveyed plan to increase their R&D activities, while the other half will keep activities stable.

On solid grounds

“We are dealing with a very volatile environment. Some of our key end markets are affected, such as the automotive market. For our industry, this is reflected in fluctuating sales forecasts. In addition to geopolitical crises, high energy costs and inflation are also taking their toll,” concludes Dr. Alain Schumacher. “But thanks to the broad customer and product portfolio of printed electronics, we expect stable percentage growth in 2024 and beyond. The ingenuity of the industry is unbroken, and I look forward to presenting and seeing the results
at LOPEC.”

www.lopec.com

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Sirmax Group Achieves Six New Certifications In Supply Chain, Product Sustainability, And Employee Focus

The Padua-based company is consistently experiencing positive outcomes from its strategic initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and enhancing control over suppliers and the supply chain. Additionally, it has achieved Great Place To Work certifications in both the US and India.

Cittadella (Padua), 16 February 2024 – Sirmax Group, a Padua-based company specializing in the production of thermoplastic granules for a wide range of applications, demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by obtaining six new certifications. These certifications encompass various aspects of governance, corporate responsibility, and product sustainability.

In the corporate sphere, Sirmax has received the EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment, which evaluates the impact of companies on the supply chain. Based on concrete data, the aim of this assessment is to enhance environmental and social practices, leveraging the influence of global logistics chains. Sirmax has earned the prestigious Ecovadis Silver designation, a testament to its tangible efforts in addressing environmental concerns, labor practices, human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Ecovadis is the first collaborative platform that enables companies to monitor the sustainability performance of their suppliers across 150 sectors. The reliable ratings and monitoring tools provided by EcoVadis enable companies to manage risks and incorporate eco-innovations into their global supply chains.

Sirmax has also progressed in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) index, designed to make environmental reporting easier by providing information on climate impacts to investors, companies and governments. Widely adopted by large companies globally, the CDP index boasts the largest database on corporate greenhouse gas emissions and strategies implemented to combat climate change. The CDP’s main goal is to increase transparency around environmental impacts, providing data and information to investors and financial entities. The index is based on four questionnaires linked to four programs: the Climate Change Program, Water Program, Forests Program, and Supply Chain Program. Sirmax gained two positions from the previous assessment, elevating its rating from D to C on a rating scale from A (highest) to D (lowest). This achievement not only aligns Sirmax with the global average, but also positions the company closer to the industry average of B.

 The ISCC PLUS certification is a voluntary standard linked to the sustainability goals included in the 2030 Agenda. Its main focus is on the fundamental concept that to guarantee a product’s requirements, its sustainability along the entire production chain must be verified. This begins with utilizing sustainable raw materials and biomass (organic origin materials often originated from waste from agricultural activities). The standard’s essential criteria are sustainability and traceability (demonstrated by mass balance, in this case) throughout the product’s own supply chain. It focuses on sustainable production management and verification of the chain of custody and traceability, as well as the monitoring of volumes produced and processing yields.

In the realm of product certification, a noteworthy accomplishment emerges across the entire range of polypropylene-based circular compounds — the issuance of the HB Yellow Paper by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent certification and safety agency which specializes in certifying the flame behavior of plastic materials through specific laboratory tests. These fire resistance tests, crucial for the household appliance sector, were conducted on two distinct product families featuring varying percentages of post-consumer recycled plastic, namely Green Isofil (PP with mineral fillers added) and Green Isoglass (PP reinforced with glass fiber). Sirmax is among the first companies to obtain the HB Yellow Paper certification for recycled material suitable for the home appliances sector. While this sector was initially used as a pilot, this certification can be easily be extended to other application sectors.

Finally, Sirmax garnered additional governance-related certifications, attesting to the Group’s commitment to its people. The subsidiaries in the United States (Sirmax North America) and India (Autotech-Sirmax JV) have received the international Great Place to Work certification, acknowledging the initiatives aimed at employees and the overall work environment within the plants. Sirmax maintains a positive standing on the global Trust Index with 60% positive responses, and the feedback gathered though the questionnaire provides valuable insights for improvement. Specifically, credibility got 62% positive responses, respect was at 60%, fairness at 55%, pride at 60%, and cohesion at 65%. The questions that garnered the highest average of positive responses pertain to workplace safety, availability and trust of managers, collaboration with colleagues, onboarding processes, inclusiveness, and customer satisfaction. The decisive factor in the US plants was the blend of different cultures, a unique element within the company. This cultural mix succeeds in creating an open and inclusive environment in which all people work toward a common goal.

“We are proud of these recognitions,” comments Leonardo Forner, Group Marketing & Sustainability Coordinator of Sirmax. “Our journey has been complex, requiring a gradual approach involving all internal and external stakeholders. The certifications we have obtained symbolize the success of the work done so far. Our commitment remains steadfast, centered around our four main pillars: product, process, people and supply chain.”

http://www.sirmax.com/

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Sig Puts Its Innovative Packaging Solutions On Display At The 50th Dairy Industry Conference 

SIG, a leading packaging solutions provider, showcased its innovative and sustainable packaging solutions at the 50th Dairy Industry Conference hosted by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA). During the three-day event held in Hyderabad, Telangana, SIG displayed an array of innovative packaging and state-of-the-art filling solutions. 

At this year’s conference, SIG presented its flagship small-size carton packaging solutions SIG XSlim Bloc and SIG Smile Small. The filling machine SIG XSlim 24 can fill 24,000 SIG XSlim Bloc carton packs per hour and has the flexibility to fill nine different volume sizes (from 80ml to 200ml) on the same filling line. 

The SIG Smile Small 24 filling machine for SIG Smile Small does also have the capacity to fill 24,000 carton packs per hour and makes it possible to switch between four volumes (180ml to 250ml), thereby cutting down costs, time, and waste rates. SIG Smile Small is available with straw or closure options and also allows for the filling of beverages with particulates. 

Volume changeover on SIG filling machines is quick and easy, taking less than 15 minutes – for maximum flexibility.

Another focus of SIG’s trade fair presentation was on carton packaging in family sizes. The main spotlight was on SIG Slimline Bloc and SIG Midi Bloc, both available in volume sizes from 500ml to 1,000ml. 

SIG’s long line of industry-leading sustainability innovations now includes bag-in-box and spouted pouches. They were also an important part of the portfolio that SIG presented at the Dairy Industry Conference.

Abdelghany Eladib, President & General Manager IMEA at SIG:

“As a leading milk producer, accounting for 24%* of global milk production, India stands as a crucial destination for SIG. The Dairy Industry Conference serves as an exceptional platform to engage with professionals and experts from the sector, helping us understand the challenges and emerging market needs. SIG is committed to serving the customers and consumers with safe, sustainable, and affordable packaging solutions, and such events helps us gain market insights to improve our offerings for the better.” 

Vandana Tandan, Head of Markets for India and Bangladesh at SIG:

“The dairy sector holds a significant position in India’s diverse and expansive FMCG industry. In the recent past, the Indian dairy industry has witnessed remarkable growth and is further anticipated to continue an upward trajectory. It presents an exceptional opportunity for SIG to expand its market presence in the country and secure a larger share of the industry. The 50th Dairy Industry Conference presented a perfect platform to display our innovative packaging solution and efficient filling technology and to meet the industry leaders to forge new relationships.” 

Dhandutt Shah, Managing Director India for SIG’s bag-in-box and spouted pouch business: “SIG is committed to delivering high-quality and advanced packaging solutions to its customers and consumers. We have witnessed an exponential rise in the demand for bag-in-box and spouted pouches globally. Events like the Dairy Industry Conference serve as a perfect platform to showcase our state-of-the-art technology and packaging solutions.” 

This year’s Dairy Industry Conference was centered around the theme of “Indian Dairying: Innovation & Entrepreneurship”. Hosting Indian and international exhibitors from across the globe, the conference aimed to address contemporary issues concerning dairy entrepreneurship backed by innovations in the industry. 

The conference came at a time when the Indian dairy sector was witnessing remarkable growth. Today, India is the largest producer of milk in the world, with an annual production capacity of 221.06 million tons recorded in the year 2021-22, contributing 23% of global milk production*. According to a report by the International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group (IMARC), the market size is anticipated to reach Rs. 30.84 lakh crore by 2027*. 

SIG displayed its innovative packaging solutions and filling technology for the second time at this conference. Setting its foot in the Indian market in 2018, the Swiss-based packaging solution provider has rapidly expanded its business in the country. The company recently commenced the construction of its first carton plant in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. With an investment of approximately 100 million euros over the period 2023-2025, the production capacity of this packaging plant is expected to reach 4 billion packs per annum in phase 1. 

https://www.sig.biz/en

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