FLEXOO joins EU ENLIGHTENED project for sustainable electronics

27.10.2025

Rigorous testing expertise for copper-based conductive inks

FLEXOO, a specialist in sustainable electronics, announces its participation in the ENLIGHTENED project, an EU-funded initiative coordinated by Swedish organic solar cell manufacturer Epishine. The collaboration aims to establish the industry standard for flexible hybrid electronics assembly of light-powered sustainable electronics.

Addressing the sustainability challenge in electronics manufacturing

The global electronics industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint while meeting growing demand for flexible, energy-efficient devices. Traditional manufacturing methods relying on precious metal-based conductive inks create economic uncertainty due to price volatility and environmental concerns related to resource extraction and processing.

The ENLIGHTENED project directly addresses these challenges by bringing together leading researchers, manufacturers of printed and non-printed electronics, service providers, and end customers. With the ultimate goal of combining photovoltaic cells with flexible circuit boards, energy storage, and electronic components in an affordable, automated, and flexible manner, ENLIGHTENED is positioning itself as a thought leader in the next generation of sustainable electronics manufacturing.

FLEXOO's contribution: Testing and validation for sustainable electronics

As a key partner in the ENLIGHTENED consortium, FLEXOO is contributing to this transformation by rigorously testing copper-based conductive inks that promise to reduce both environmental impact and production costs while maintaining the performance standards that light-powered, flexible electronics demand. Copper provides critical advantages for sustainable electronics production:

  • Economic stability: Copper's price stability compared to precious metals enables more predictable manufacturing costs for sustainable electronics
  • Environmental benefits: Significantly lower carbon footprint in extraction and processing supports the ENLIGHTENED vision of truly sustainable electronics
  • Supply chain security: Abundant availability ensures scalable production of flexible, light-powered electronics
  • Performance: Advanced formulations deliver conductivity levels required for photovoltaic integration and flexible circuit applications

FLEXOO's systematic evaluation of copper-based alternatives to precious metal inks helps eliminate key barriers to widespread adoption of sustainable electronics manufacturing, directly supporting ENLIGHTENED's mission to make light-powered, flexible electronics the industry standard.

Rigorous testing for production-ready sustainable electronics solutions

FLEXOO is currently conducting intensive testing of seven selected copper ink formulations, each designed to meet the demanding requirements of flexible, light-powered sustainable electronics. The comprehensive evaluation protocol includes:

  • Visual inspection and resistance measurement to determine achievable line widths and spacings for precise circuitry
  • Layer thickness, roughness, and conductivity analysis ensuring consistent print quality for automated production
  • Flexibility and adhesion trials verifying compatibility with bendable substrates essential for flexible sustainable electronics
  • Climate chamber lifetime testing simulating years of operation to guarantee long-term reliability

FLEXOO is developing the complete printing parameter set necessary for automated roll-to-roll manufacturing, including optimized printing speed, pressure, temperature, and curing conditions for large-scale production of sustainable electronics.

Epishine coordinates groundbreaking sustainable electronics initiative

The ENLIGHTENED project is coordinated by Epishine, a Swedish manufacturer that uses roll-to-roll technology to print organic indoor solar cells in their facility in Sweden, eliminating disposable batteries and powering the next generation of electronics with ambient light. Based in Linköping, Sweden, Epishine has already brought products to market with the joint aim to make electronics sustainable, for people and planet.

Impact on sustainable electronics industry

The ENLIGHTENED project addresses multiple critical challenges facing the sustainable electronics industry:

  • Reducing dependency on precious metals in sustainable electronics production
  • Enabling affordable, automated manufacturing of light-powered sustainable electronics at scale
  • Establishing industry standards for flexible hybrid sustainable electronics assembly
  • Minimizing environmental impact through reduced carbon footprint and elimination of disposable batteries

Early results from FLEXOO's testing demonstrate promising performance across all critical metrics, with copper ink formulations showing competitive conductivity levels while delivering the cost stability and environmental benefits essential for widespread sustainable electronics adoption.