RadTech’s uv.eb WEST 2011
Highlights Opportunities in PE
by David Savastano, Contributing Editor
Energy curable technologies such as UV and EB have suc- cessfully gained prominence in a wide variety of graphic arts and coatings markets. The ability to instantly cure the
ink or coating with little to no volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) as well as impart excellent resistance properties, has
made UV and EB a choice for numerous applications.
The field of printed electronics is another area of interest for
UV and EB formulators, but that interest has remained somewhat limited. In an effort to bring attention to the potential usage
of UV and EB in printed electronics, Rad Tech International
North America recently held uv.eb WEST 2011, its two-day conference and exhibition, in Santa Clara, CA/USA. The conference
was successful, as more than 240 attendees heard talks ranging
from printed electronics to the capabilities of energy curing and
determining the applied cost of coatings.
The Cost of Coatings
From the perspective of paint and coatings manufacturers, uv.eb
WEST 2011 had a pair of informative talks presented by Bob
Richardson, chief engineer of Jabil Electronics, Green Point Division, which is a major user of coatings.
In his discussion on “Disconnects in the Supply Chain,”
Richardson outlined the approach that Jabil Group takes with its
suppliers. A contract manufacturer for the electronics industry, Jabil
Group had $13.4 billion in sales in 2010, supplying Motorola,
Nokia, Sony, Samsung and Research in Motion, among others.
“We are one of the world’s biggest job shops, but we don’t
put our label on anything,” Richardson said. “The OEMs we deal
with want value and 100 percent certainty they will not have any
problems in the field. We pay our suppliers well over market
value because of our huge need for support.”
Richardson said that Jabil Group has 42 paint lines, includ-
ing 28 in China. All told, Richardson’s division buys about
38 | Coatings World
www.coatingsworld.com
April 2011
