Merck, Plastic Logic To Develop New-Generation Organic Semiconductors

The Germany-based company recently invested in the expansion of the Chilworth Technical Centre, its chemicals research site in Southampton, UK, by adding new laboratories to intensify and hasten display-material developments based on plastic electronics.

Pursuant to the project, Plastic Logic has also invested in additional manufacturing equipment to accelerate the introduction of Merck’s new lisicon materials in mass production.

Merck’s functional materials are already used in the manufacturing process of the flexible ePaper displays contained in Plastic Logic’s first consumer product, QUE proReader. The company claimed that its new lisicon materials will enable enhanced device performance and simplify Plastic Logic’s manufacturing process for ePaper displays.

Dr Klaus Bofinger, senior vice president for advanced technologies at Merck, said: “Merck is delighted to support Plastic Logic as an innovative leader in next-generation consumer devices containing paper-like displays. With Merck’s track record and experience in introducing new display technologies to the market, we see the cooperation with Plastic Logic as a major step towards advancing plastic electronic displays.”

Konrad Herre, managing director of Plastic Logic in Dresden, Germany, said: “We are very pleased to announce this cooperation with Merck. This expansion of our joint efforts will enable us to develop higher performing future plastic electronic display technologies using simpler manufacturing processes.”