Dear Readers,
The 20th birthday is usually a milestone, the beginning of adult life, and so 20th birthdays are usually
associated with plans, goals and hopes for the future.
When the OE-A celebrates its 20th anniversary in Hamburg this month, further development of the
printed electronics industry will certainly be one of the topics of discussion at the event. There are
plenty of reasons for optimism, as the interview in this issue of OPE journal with Dr. Klaus Hecker,
Managing Director of the OE-A, makes clear.
"Looking 10 years ahead, I see a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape for printed electronics. Our
robust international network, which has grown significantly over the past decade, will continue to
thrive on cooperation, openness and interdisciplinary collaboration," says Dr. Hecker, ahead of the
anniversary. He also explains how the OE-A has become the leading platform for printed electronics.
The founding members were convinced that this groundbreaking technology, with its potential for
new applications and markets, needed a space for collaboration. And they shared a common vision.
Speaking for OPE journal, covering this industry and reporting regularly on the latest developments and
breakthroughs in printed electronics, we could not ask for a better situation. On the following pages,
we report on numerous innovations and the latest applications in the fields of smart packaging and
wearables.
There are many reasons to look forward to the next 20 years. But first, we say: we wish the OE-A and
its member companies all the best for their anniversary! And we hope you enjoy reading this issue.
