Cautious Growth and Strategic Investments in Printed Electronics: OE-A Business Climate Survey 2025
28 February 2025: While flexible and printed electronics companies are approaching 2025 with caution, there is evident confidence in long-term growth, particularly in key end-user industries such as consumer electronics, automotive and healthcare,” said Dr. Alain Schumacher, OE-A Chairman and CTO of IEE in Luxembourg, commenting on the results of the OE-A Business Climate Survey at the LOPEC Press conference on 26 February in Munich. The outlook for the flexible, organic and printed electronics industry has weakened compared to previous surveys. Growth expectations for 2025 have dropped significantly, with association members now forecasting a 9 per cent increase in revenues – down from the 17 per cent growth expected in the previous survey. “Although the growth forecast for 2025 has softened, companies are taking a strategic approach, emphasizing innovation and long-term investment to overcome economic uncertainties. This forward-looking mindset is reflected in a more optimistic outlook for 2026, with projected growth rebounding to 13 per cent,” Schumacher added.
The bi-annual OE-A Business Climate Survey gathers insights from OE-A members across the value chain, including R&D institutes, material suppliers, manufacturers and end users. It provides qualitative data on industry trends, sales growth and market outlook, providing a snapshot of the current state and future direction of the industry. The survey is conducted by OE-A, an international working group within VDMA.
Wait-and-see situation
International political and economic situation, particularly the crisis in the automotive industry, and the impact of the new administration in the US prevent better results. More uncertainties are caused by the pending formation of the government in Germany. In the survey, 51 per cent of respondents said they planned to reduce investment in production over the next six months, a significant change from 37 per cent in September. In terms of employment, 89 per cent of members plan to hold current staffing levels, and 10 per cent plan to increase their workforce. An encouraging trend is that 60 per cent of respondents plan to increase their R&D efforts, up from the previous period. This cautious approach reflects the industry’s adaptation to changing market conditions, as companies prioritize efficiency and long-term stability.
OE-A expects revenue growth of 13 per cent by 2026
There are mixed signals for 2025, but 77 per cent of responding OE-A members expect the printed electronics industry to grow in 2025 (Sept 2024: 58%). “These survey results show that the general economic trend has impact on the PE industry. Nevertheless, it continues to grow. Our industry makes strategic adjustments and invests in areas that will drive long-term growth. Sensor applications, whether for automotive, medical, sports or building technology, will play an important role in this. The increased activities in R&D and the stability of employment levels signal that companies are not only managing the current uncertainties but also preparing for a bright and innovative future in a rapidly evolving global market,” summarized Alain Schumacher.
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