South Korea Printed Electronics Market Trends

• Development of multifunctional printed electronics: Additive manufacturing using 3D printing technology is having a profound influence on South Korea's printed electronics market. This innovative production method allows for quick prototyping and customization, which enables companies to respond more rapidly to customer needs and bring new products to market faster. Rather than traditional subtractive processes that cut away material, 3D printing is an additive process that builds up layers of material such as polymers, metals, ceramics, or composite materials to form three-dimensional objects of almost any shape from a digital model. The flexibility and design freedom afforded by 3D printing is driving innovation in many industries adopting printed electronics, such as healthcare, automotive, consumer products, and more. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea raise (US$ 31.8 trillion) of public funds between 2016 and 2022 to support advanced manufacturing including 3D printing and new materials technologies through various R&D programs and SME collaborations (MOTIE 2023). This government support is catalyzing more experimentation and commercialization of 3D printed electronics across various sectors of the economy. As this technology trend continues, it will transform the capabilities and business models of companies in South Korea's extensive printed electronics industry.
• Shift towards printed flexible electronics in automotive and transportation sector: Printed sensors have become an influential trend that is positively impacting the growth of South Korea's printed electronics market. Printed sensors allow for the development of novel applications and devices that can conveniently monitor various variables. An increasing number of manufacturers are utilizing printed sensor technology to develop smart consumer products, wearable devices, IoT applications, and more. Such continuous technological breakthroughs have stimulated broader commercialization of printed sensors. Market observers forecast growing investments and partnerships between sensor companies and electronics manufacturers as well as research institutions across various industries like mobile communications, automotive, food packaging, and more. The Korean government has additionally allocated larger R&D grants for printed electronics and flexible hybrid electronics under its 2030 New Deal Plan, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Figure 1. South Korea Printed Electronics Market Share (%), by Country, 2024