Swansea Key to Future of Plastic Electronics Sector

Swansea University’s Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating was highlighted by The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) at the launch of its UK strategy on December 7, London.

Plastic Electronics is one of the UK government’s priority areas in the policy statement Building Britain’s Future - New Industry, New Jobs because of its potential as a competitive industry with ability for job creation and delivery of economic benefits. Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson said at the launch: “The UK is already a global leader in the Plastic Electronics sector thanks to our world-class science-base and our strengths in

research, creativity and innovation. We now need a roadmap for the industry that takes it from cutting edge to mass market while keeping Britain firmly in front.”

“Plastic Electronics Strategy For Success: Realising the UK Potential, sets out the forward looking investment plan for government, industry and academia to work together to fully exploit this technology. The Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC) will continue to work with the printing community to develop innovative new product lines - such as sensors for the automotive, aerospace and medical sectors – that will add value, create new markets and underpin the continued success of the industry in the UK. Professor Tim Claypole, Director, Swansea University’s School of Engineering, explained: “While you would normally associate

the fundamental science of printing with the production of newspapers, packaging and books, The Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, based in Swansea, has focused its’ research on the application of traditional printing methods to the manufacture of new and novel products.

“It is a credit to our strategic vision, coupled with our awareness of incoming technologies and a strong tradition of partnership and collaboration with industry, which has led to Swansea University being recognised as a UK Centre of Excellence for Plastic Electronics.We welcome this opportunity to build on our strengths and to apply our knowledge and skills to help create an innovative and competitive economy.”