December 4, 2017

Adhesive Technologies business unit expands expertise for printed electronics

Henkel invests in advanced materials start-up Copprint 

Düsseldorf – Henkel Adhesive Technologies further strengthens its expertise for printed electronics by investing in Copprint Technologies Ltd (Copprint), Israel. The advanced materials start-up has developed a novel technology for producing conductive copper inks that can provide substantial cost benefits for a variety of printed electronics applications.  

“As a leading materials and solutions provider in the electronics business, printed electronics is one of our key search fields for innovations,” explained Paolo Bavaj, Head of Corporate Venturing at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “Copprint has developed a superior copper-based ink technology that has the potential to replace silver-based ink methods and to enable new cost sensitive applications. We aim to closely collaborate and support Copprint to successfully access new markets.”

Based on the increasing demand for printed electronics, the market for conductive inks is constantly growing and copper-based technologies have the potential to significantly reduce costs. Today all solutions are still silver-based due to technical challenges such as copper oxidation and expensive production processes. 

Copprint was founded in 2016 with the goal to disrupt the conductive ink market. The start-up has demonstrated that its copper ink can be applied in a simplified sintering process without oxidation. The technology has already achieved technical product qualifications for printed RFID antennas. Copprint’s printed RFID antennas on a paper substrate offer significant advantages in costs and sustainability compared to other existing methods Thus the novel technology has the potential to be used in a broad variety of applications such as next-generation photovoltaics, 3D printed electronics, RFID and NFC antennas, wearables and smart clothing.

“We very much appreciate Henkel´s confidence in our patented disruptive conductive copper inks,” said Ofer Shochet, CEO of Copprint. “The investment will allow us to scale up the production and to expand our product lines and application support by collaborating with Henkel’s experts for printed electronics.”

About Henkel
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2016, Henkel reported sales of 18.7 billion euros, adjusted operating profit of 3.2 billion euros. Its three top brands, Persil (detergent), Schwarzkopf (hair care) and Loctite (adhesive) generated more than 6 billion euros in combined sales. Henkel employs more than 50,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com and www.henkel-ventures.com

Photo material is available at http://www.henkel.com/press

Contact	Sebastian Hinz 	
Phone	+49 211 797-85 94		
Email          sebastian.hinz@henkel.com                        		

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Copprint´s copper-based ink technology has already achieved the technical qualification for printed RFID antennas.