Flemish printed electronics SME partners with global automotive supplier

Through its venture capital arm, French automotive supplier Novares acquired a minority stake in Quad Industries, a Flemish specialist in printing flexible electronics (link in Dutch). In addition, the companies signed an agreement to jointly develop intuitive intelligent interfaces using 3D shaped electronics. According to a press release, these will “shift the way cars interact with passengers and their environment”. Quad’s technology is already integrated in the Novares “Touch’N Play” concept, incorporated in the Novares demo car, Nova Car #1.

“We’re extremely excited about this investment from Novares in Quad Industries, which reinforces our long-term collaboration. Novares brings the needed know-how to integrate our technologies into automotive components and systems,” states Arne Casteleyn, Quad co-CEO and sales director. “Quad’s printed electronics are key in our smart surfaces technologies,” says Novares CEO Pierre Boulet.

Novares Venture Capital also invested in Flexenable, which develops printing technology for flexible displays and sensors.