Global Markets for Roll-to-Roll Technologies for Flexible Devices

Report Highlights

The global market for flexible devices manufactured by roll-to-roll (R2R) technologies was valued at nearly $10.8 billion in 2012 and is projected to increase to nearly $22.7 billion in 2017 after increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1%.

Report Includes

• An overview of the market for roll-to-roll (R2R) technologies in the development and commercialization of flexible devices, including electronic devices, such as flexible displays, and energy devices, such as flexible solar cells.
• Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2010 through 2012, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2017.
• Description of various types of flexible devices produced by R2R methods, together with a historical review of the technology and an outline of the most significant recent developments; current and emerging applications for these products also will be discussed.
• Examination of technical issues, and examples of significant patents recently issued or applied for.
• A list of the leading providers of R2R technologies and flexible devices, along with a description of their products.

Report Scope

This study provides an updated review of roll-to-roll technologies for flexible devices, including a description of various device types and roll-to-roll fabrication processes, and identifies current and emerging devices fabricated using roll-to-roll technologies.

BCC Research determines the current market status for these products, defines trends and presents growth forecasts for the next five years. The roll-to-roll flexible device industry is analyzed based on the following segments: device type, substrate material, process and region. In addition, technological issues including key events and the latest process developments are discussed.

More specifically, BCC’s market analysis is divided into five sections.

In the first section, an introduction to the topic and a historical review of roll-to-roll technologies for flexible devices are provided, including an outline of recent events. This section identifies devices that are currently commercially available or are emerging, and offers a description of the main types.

The second section provides a technological review of the fabrication steps used to manufacture roll-to-roll flexible devices, with an outline of the most common processes. This section concludes with an analysis of the most important technological developments since 2010, including examples of significant patents recently issued or applied for, and indicating the most active research organizations operating in this field.

The third section offers a global market analysis of roll-to-roll flexible devices. Global revenues (sales data in millions of dollars) are presented for each segment (device type, process, substrate material and region) with actual data referring to the years 2010 through 2012.

Next, a detailed presentation of market growth trends is provided based on industry growth, technological trends and regional trends. The third section concludes with projected revenues for roll-to-roll flexible devices within each segment together with forecast compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) for the period 2012 through 2017.

In the fourth section of the study, which covers global industry structure, the report offers a list of the leading manufacturers of roll-to-roll flexible devices together with a description of their products. The analysis includes a description of the geographical distribution of these suppliers and an evaluation of other key industry players. Detailed company profiles of the top players are also provided.

The fifth and final section includes an extensive U.S. patent analysis, with a summary of patents related to materials, fabrication processes, equipment, and applications for roll-to-roll flexible devices. The patents examined in this study were issued during the period 2009 through 2012. Patent analysis is performed by region, country, assignee, patent category, process and device type.

Analyst Credentials

Margareth Gagliardi, Chief Research Analyst in Advanced Materials for BCC Research, has more than 30 years of experience in the field of advanced materials, specializing in ceramic formulations, materials processing, and new product development. After receiving her degrees in Chemical and Ceramic Engineering, she worked in both manufacturing and R&D holding senior management positions within U.S. and European firms producing electronic, mechanical, chemical, and structural components.

She is currently focusing on market intelligence and advanced technologies analysis for organizations and research institutions that operate within a range of high-tech industries.