Future Links January 20th 2015
Here are our daily links with the most important news from the printing industry. Today they feature Agfa’s conductive polymer and nano silver ink, Sinopec’s plans to get involved in 3D printing materials, a scientific breakthrough that could lead to more efficient solar cells and printed electronics, the role of managed print services in organizations’ digitizing initiatives, DG3’s investment in HP presses, the sales increase of printed books in Australia and MediPharm’s secure labels and caps.
Agfa offers conductive polymer and silver ink
The growing field of printed electronics requires new substrates and inks. Agfa has made a commitment to contribute to filling this gap with its new PEDOT:PSS conductive polymer and a nano silver ink. In an interview with Agfa, IDTechEx finds out more details about these two recent additions to Agfa’s portfolio.
More at ARM Devices
Sinopec plans to develop 3D printing materials
In a move to diversify and reduce its dependence on the oil refining and processing business, Sinopec, one of China’s largest companies announced that it will move into the business of producing 3D printing materials. The company plans to invest into investment funds, research institutes and industrial parks to further innovation.
More at 3D Print
Scientific breakthrough holds promises for printed electronics
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have made a discovery regarding the highly sought-after nematic liquid crystals that can lead to vastly improved organic solar cell performance. The discovery would make solar cells more efficient and bring prices down, at the same time, the nematic liquid crystals would lead to greater performance and new innovations in the area of printed electronics.
More at Science Daily
Managed print services help business process digitization
The research firm Quocirca conducted a survey about the digitization initiatives of more than 200 organizations. The research revealed that 40 percent of those organizations plan to increase their spending on workflow automation and those who relied on managed print services were the most optimistic about their digitization efforts.
More at Computer Weekly
DG3 North America expands digital platform with HP presses
Diversified Global Graphics Group (DG3), a leading provider of global print, technology, and visual communication services, today announced the installation of two HP Indigo presses, the HP Indigo 10000 and HP Indigo 7800, at its North American operations. The HP equipment investment is consistent with DG3’s strategy to transform traditional printed communications into highly dynamic data-driven marketing communications.
More at What They Think
Printed books make a comeback in Australia
The sales figures for printed books in Australia were up by 2.2 percent in 2014, this is the first time since 2009 that printed books showed an increase in sales. The increase is due in part to a decline in sales of ebooks but also the result of innovations such as books with interactive features and activities such as author talks and children’s events.
More at i-Grafix
MediPharm’s speciality labels increase safety
Medical packaging is vulnerable to all kinds of safety violations: Counterfeiting, unauthorized reuse and manipulations. Schreiner Medipharm has now developed a new Flexi-Cap security concept that indicates, among other things, the date the package was first opened. The new concept will be presented at the Pharmapack Europe in Paris from February 11 to 12, 2015.
More at Packaging Europe