Silicon Austria Labs GmbH - Sustainable Materials in Printed Electronics: Promise, Reality, and Open Challenges

Sustainable materials are widely considered a key enabler for reducing the environmental impact of printed electronics. A growing range of options is being explored, including bio-based substrates, alternative conductive inks, and novel functional materials. However, their actual contribution to overall sustainability is not always clear and requires careful evaluation.

This talk provides a structured overview of material options in printed electronics, covering substrates, conductive inks, functional materials, energy supply, and interconnection strategies. Using insights from European projects like EECONE, these components are discussed in relation to their relative impact, practical limitations, and trade-offs between performance and sustainability. Particular attention is given to the differences between commonly perceived and actual environmental benefits, as well as to the challenges of combining disposable and reusable elements within one system.