printconnect podcast

From Circular Electronics to Industrial Performance - The Story Behind SECTR

Can a conductive ink developed for recyclable paper-based electronics meet the demanding requirements of industrial production?

In this episode of printconnect, Rob Penhallow is joined by Léonardo Giacomini, Printed Electronics Product Manager at VFP Ink Technologies, to explore the development of SECTR, a conductive silver ink that emerged from the European CircEl-Paper research project.

Originally developed to address the challenges of printing electronics onto paper, SECTR combines low-temperature curing with electrical conductivity and resistance to chemical and thermal stresses.

Léonardo explains the technical challenges behind its development, including the relationship between curing temperature, processing time and conductivity, as well as the importance of adhesion and substrate compatibility.

The conversation also explores the wider environmental considerations behind the project, from non-CMR formulations and bio-based raw materials to the importance of considering electronic devices throughout their lifecycle.

With potential applications extending into automotive, aerospace, printed sensors and smart packaging, SECTR provides an interesting example of how collaborative research can lead to innovation well beyond its original brief.

In this episode:

• The origins of SECTR and the European CircEl-Paper project
• Why paper presents unique challenges for printed electronics
• Low-temperature curing and its effect on conductivity
• Chemical resistance, thermal stability and industrial performance
• Bio-based materials and end-of-life considerations
• Moving from collaborative research to industrial applications
• Opportunities in automotive, aerospace and smart packaging

Guest: Léonardo Giacomini, Printed Electronics Product Manager, VFP Ink Technologies

Host: Rob Penhallow, printconnect / Specialist Printing Worldwide

Discover more about VFP Ink Technologies: https://www.vfp-ink.com

Learn more about CircEl-Paper: https://circelpaper.eu

In this episode of printconnect, we explore one of the fastest-evolving areas of specialist printing – the growing role of robotics and automation across print and packaging production.

Joining the podcast are Mark Boyt, Principal Analyst for Production Workflow Software at Keypoint Intelligence, and Marc Mascara, Principal Analyst for Labels & Packaging.

Together, the discussion explores how rising production pressures, labour challenges, SKU variation, and increasing demand for faster turnaround are accelerating interest in robotics and digital print technologies.

The conversation also examines the growing convergence between workflow automation, robotics, AI, digital print, packaging production, and fulfilment – and why these technologies are no longer evolving in isolation.

Topics covered include:

• Why robotics adoption is accelerating across print
• The results of Keypoint Intelligence’s robotics industry survey
• Labour challenges and automation pressures
• Packaging production and increasing SKU complexity
• Why digital print is well suited to high-variation production
• Robotics integration across handling, finishing, and manufacturing
• Workflow integration and removing production silos
• The future of automated packaging and fulfilment environments
• Insights from upcoming FESPA sessions

Whether you work in commercial print, packaging, industrial print, or production workflow, this episode offers valuable insight into where the industry is heading – and why staying close to these developments is becoming increasingly important.

As industrial inkjet moves into higher-value and higher-volume production environments, reliability and uptime are becoming just as important as speed and resolution. One of the most critical – and often overlooked – factors behind that reliability is nozzle health.

In this episode of printconnect, we’re joined by Jonathan Wilson, Vice President of Sales at Meteor Inkjet, to explore how nozzle monitoring and control technologies are evolving and what that means for the future of industrial inkjet systems.

Jonathan explains why even a single misfiring nozzle can have a significant impact on productivity and sellable output when running high-resolution presses at industrial speeds. He also discusses how new approaches to monitoring nozzle behaviour in near real time could transform how printbars are diagnosed, maintained and optimised during production.

The conversation explores the technical challenges of managing thousands of nozzles across modern printheads, the role of drive electronics and waveform control, and how nozzle health technology could support applications ranging from high-speed label and packaging production to additive manufacturing and printed electronics.

In this episode of printconnect, we explore how functional inks are redefining what a printed surface can do.

Jérémy Flageul, Sales Director at VFP Ink Technologies, joins us to discuss the development of piezoelectric ink technology and the shift from adding electronic components to printing functionality directly into structures.

We examine:

– What makes printed electronics commercially viable today
 – How piezoelectric ink integrates sensing into surfaces
 – The industrial benefits of PFAS-free formulations
 – Applications in automotive, wearables and haptic interfaces
 – Realistic timelines for mainstream adoption

As surfaces evolve from passive elements into intelligent systems, materials science is reshaping manufacturing, integration and design possibilities.

To learn more about VFP Ink Technologies and their work in functional inks and printed electronics, visit:

🌐 https://www.vfp-ink-technologies.com

Europe’s industrial print sector is under pressure – but it’s also evolving fast.

In this episode of printconnect, we’re joined by Peter Buttiens, CEO of ESMA, to unpack the forces shaping industrial and functional printing across Europe.

From printed electronics and biomedical applications to automation, sustainability regulation and the impact of the EU’s Green Deal, we explore how European printers are responding to rising productivity expectations, tighter environmental requirements and global competition.

We discuss:

• Why Europe is leading in printed electronics and functional printing
• How regulation – from RoHS to the Digital Product Passport – is acting as a catalyst for innovation
• The shift from traditional screen printing to high-tech, cleanroom-based production
• Automation and the evolution of the operator’s role
• Growth segments over the next 3–5 years, including biomedical and pharmaceutical print
• What’s next for ESMA and the European industrial print community

If you want a clear view of where European industrial print is heading – and how it compares globally – this is essential listening.

Sustainability has become one of the most pressing – and complex – challenges facing the print industry. But how can businesses move beyond abstract goals and turn sustainability into something practical, measurable and collaborative?

In this episode of printconnect, we’re joined by Carlos Lahoz, Head of Industrial Print Sustainability Strategy at HP and a key contributor to the Sustainable Print Manifesto – a global, technology-agnostic framework designed to align the print value chain around shared principles and real-world progress.

Together, we explore why sustainability has reached a critical tipping point for print, how collaboration across the value chain can accelerate meaningful change, and why data-driven decision-making is essential to avoiding greenwashing and enabling long-term transparency. Carlos also shares how the manifesto is intended to evolve, how businesses of all sizes can engage, and why sustainability is increasingly a driver of innovation and competitiveness – not just compliance.

A practical, grounded conversation on how the print industry can move forward together.

• Read the Manifesto principles
• Download the document
• Pledge support and get involved
• Find contact and working-group info

www.sustainable-print-manifesto.com

In this episode of printconnect, we’re joined by Anthony Sci, from Keypoint Intelligence, to explore how data, insight and automation are increasingly shaping decision-making across the print industry.

The conversation looks at how print businesses can better use data to understand market trends, evaluate technologies and plan investment strategies in an increasingly complex and fast-moving landscape. Anthony shares perspectives on where digital and industrial print are heading, the role of automation and software in improving efficiency, and how intelligence-led decision-making is becoming a competitive advantage for printers and suppliers alike.

We also discuss how market insight is evolving alongside new technologies, what print service providers should be paying attention to right now, and how organisations can cut through noise to focus on what genuinely delivers value.

A forward-looking discussion for anyone navigating technology choices and long-term strategy in specialist printing.

In this episode of printconnect, we sit down with Neil Felton, CEO of FESPA, for a deep dive into one of the print industry’s most influential global organisations.

Neil shares how FESPA has evolved into a worldwide community of 37 national associations, expanded its reach with the FESPA Direct membership model, and launched nine new international exhibitions across emerging and established markets.

We explore FESPA’s growing presence in the Middle East, including insights from recent Leadership Exchange (FLEX) events held in Riyadh, Amman and Cairo - and what these conversations reveal about opportunities and challenges across the region.

Neil also discusses:

• What makes the Middle East such a dynamic print market
• The role of AI, automation and sustainability in shaping global printing
• The importance of building education-focused, community-driven events
• How FESPA supports printers across textile, wide-format, décor, corrugated, screen, digital and industrial sectors
• What visitors can expect from the upcoming FESPA Middle East exhibition in Dubai

This is an inspiring look into how FESPA is helping printers connect, innovate and grow - regionally and globally.

The textile, apparel and wide-format sectors are undergoing rapid change — driven by shifting customer demands, sustainability pressures, price compression, automation and the arrival of AI-powered workflows. In this episode of printconnect, we unpack the forces behind this industry-wide reset with two experts from Keypoint Intelligence:

• Johnny Shell, a respected analyst and long-time voice in digital textile, apparel and wide-format printing.
• David Sweetnam, Director of Research & Lab Services for EMEA/Asia, specialising in independent product testing and technical validation.

Together, they explore how print service providers are diversifying into new applications, why equipment and ink prices are dropping so sharply, the rise of micro-production and personalised output, and how automation — from CCD-driven flatbeds to fully robotic DTF carousels — is transforming workflows.

We also dig into sustainability mandates, the need for trusted performance data, and how Keypoint’s combined advisory and testing services help businesses make smarter strategic decisions in a fast-moving market.

If you want to understand where digital print is heading — and where the biggest opportunities for growth really are — this episode is packed with real-world insight.

In this episode of printconnect, we sit down with Josh Carruth, Senior Vice President of Association at PRINTING United Alliance. We explore the role of the Alliance, who it serves, and the wide-ranging resources it provides — from education and training to research, events, and industry standards.

Josh explains how PRINTING United Alliance helps businesses navigate a rapidly evolving landscape, and highlights where both US-based and international organisations can benefit. We also dive into initiatives such as iLEARNING+, G7®, industry research, and community building, plus the vital role of the PRINTING United Expo in bringing the industry together.

 Key Takeaways from this Episode

• PRINTING United Alliance was built on convergence — bringing together formerly fragmented trade associations (SGIA, PIA, Idealliance, and Napco Media) under one roof to better represent and support the industry.
• Mission-driven focus: creating and maintaining a healthy ecosystem for print through advocacy, regulatory work, workforce development, and practical member resources.
• Membership is broad — spanning printers, OEMs, suppliers, distributors, consultants, media, and even students and educational institutions.
• Legislative and regulatory advocacy matters — the Alliance helps defend against potentially damaging laws (e.g. pigment bans, ink restrictions) that could reshape the industry overnight.
• Workforce development is critical — the print industry is “aging out,” and PRINTING United Alliance is investing in education, competitions, and onboarding tools to prepare the next generation.
• Tangible member benefits include iLEARNING+ courses, G7®/G7+ certification, research reports, wages & benefits studies, and access to expert guidance on sustainability, EHS, and compliance.
• Community and connection: from peer groups and online directories to the flagship PRINTING United Expo, members gain opportunities to network, learn, and showcase their capabilities.
• Global relevance: while US-focused, resources like iLEARNING+ and research have strong value for international organisations.
• Looking ahead: the Alliance is growing membership, expanding resources, and making its presence felt at events, with the PRINTING United Expo in Orlando as a major highlight.