UK firm builds e-paper plant

A £50m plant manufacturing flexible active-matrix display modules is to be built by Cambridge plastic transistor pioneer Plastic Logic.

Displays from the plant at Dresden, Germany, will be used in products such as electronics books and will provide a "reading experience closer to paper than any other technology", according to a company statement. It also promises that they will be "thin, light and robust".

See our Test Bed report for a picture of a the sccreen and more details.

Plastic Logic specialises in creating transistors using carbon-based polymer semiconductors rather that the usual silicon or germanium.

Its technology will be used to build the active matrix of transistors used to switch the pixels of an "imaging film" from US electronic-paper specialist E-Ink. Production is expected to start next year and will grow to a predicted 41.6 million units in 2010.

John Mills, chief operating officer at Plastic Logic, said: "Our displays will enable electronic reader products that are as comfortable and natural to read as paper whether you're on a beach, in a train or relaxing on the sofa at home.

"Wireless connectivity will allow you to purchase and download a book or pick up the latest edition of your newspaper wherever you are and whenever you need it. The battery will last for thousands of pages so you can leave your charger at home."

Hermann Hauser, director of investment company Amadeus, said: "Having backed Plastic Logic from day one, I am delighted that the first full commercialisation of plastic electronics is now firmly in our sights. With this investment we are not only scaling up a great company - we are also creating a new electronics industry that will become a significant addition to silicon."