Industry-led alliance to promote smart textiles and printable electronics

NRC to act as facilitator

Smart textiles and wearable electronics are the focus of a new alliance that seeks to coordinate Canada's growing cadre of firms in the emerging sector and build supply chains to accelerate growth and global sales. Spearheaded by the National Research Council's Printable Electronics Flagship Program (PEFP), the Smart Textile and Wearables Innovation Alliance is the third initiative launched by PEFP since it was established in 2011 during the early days of NRC's transformation into a research and technology organization.

The arm's length alliance is described as an industry-led grassroots initiative and has secured the participation of 30 members including 17 companies (see chart).

"The aim of the flagship is to allow companies to embrace these new technologies and ensure they are used in various sectors," says Thomas Ducellier, PEFP's executive director. "Canada has deep expertise in many of these domains. There are 47 companies in textile and wearable technologies alone."

The alliance is the latest initiative launched by PEFP since its inception. In 2012, the Printable Electronics Consortium (PEC) was established which attracted the Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC) as a foundation member (R$, September 10/13).

In 2014, the Canadian Printable Electronics Association was created with 30 members and has grown to 65. Billing itself as "The United Voice of Canada's Organic & Printable Electronics", its objectives include serving as an industry advocate to government, identifying new opportunities and facilitating networking, linkages and matchmaking to stimulate new R&D and business relationships (www.cpeia-acei.ca).

NRC as facilitator

The PEFP is a $70-million, five-year program running to September/18, with $57 million allocated to the consortium. With the creation of the alliance, NRC is stepping back to allow industry to take the lead, acting as a facilitator, organizing workshops, meetings and possible an industry roadmap. It held its first meeting April 21.

"With all these companies, we want to publicize Canada's strengths abroad and among the companies themselves. We structured a networking group in response and when we floated the idea of an alliance it resonated very strongly," says Ducellier. "The NRC is not there to drive but instead ask companies what they want to do. We see it as grassroots and we will support it in any shape or form."

Ducellier says a survey of members found that only 55% knew what others in the industry were doing. Clearly there's much work required to establish a cohesive industry ecosystem where synergies can be found and exploited while helping to create national and global supply chains to tap into an emerging yet rapidly growing sector.

high-growth sector

The market is expected to reach US $12.6 billion this year and grow to US $40 billion by 2020. In 20 years, the long-range projection is US $300 billion.

The global e-textile market alone is worth billions as the convergence of smart-fibre textiles and electronics experiences generates high growth estimated at 33% compounded annually.

Ducellier says the decision on whether to extend the PEFP is up to senior NRC management, which is currently in a state of flux following the departure of president John McDougall (on personal leave), the appointment of an interim president and the suspension of a planned revamp of its executive suite (R$, March 21/16).

In the meantime, Ducellier says the platform will continue to pursue more near-term objectives.

"We know what we need to achieve. As for the future, I have opinions," he says.

XRCC a key partner

XRCC is common to all three initiatives and was recently given an added boost with the NRC's decision to establish a $25-million Advanced Materials Manufacturing Centre at its Mississauga site (R$, September 8/15).

XRCC's early move to join PEC as a tier I member gives the firm the ability to propose and control projects and decide on outcome goals. XRCC is one of five Xerox global research centres with a global product mandate, which positions it to both contribute to and potentially acquire commercializable products, expertise and business relationships from PEC.

The consortium is currently focused on three key areas: functional materials — conductive and semiconducting ink, scalable processes; functional devices — logic circuits, memory, conductors, radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC); and, functional imprinting — innovative interactive optical features for security printing.

R$