Xerox getting into printed e-memory business

Xerox Corp. is getting into the printed electronic label universe, with the production to be done in Webster.

Norwegian printed electronics company Thin Film Electronics ASA said Wednesday it had inked a deal to license the technology behind its Thinfilm Memory labels to Xerox. Thinfilm Memory labels store rewritable digital data on a thin, flexible label.

According to Thin Film, Xerox plans to modify a production line at Building 119 at its Webster campus to turn out the labels.

Xerox spokesman Bill McKee said the modifications will take place throughout this year, with production expected to begin in 2016, using existing manufacturing workers in Webster.

In a statement, Xerox Vice President of New Business Ventures Steve Simpson said, “The demand for low-cost, non-conventional electronic solutions is real and it’s growing. By partnering with Thinfilm, we are leveraging our deep manufacturing expertise and ability to scale globally in order to participate in exciting new markets adjacent to our core business.”

The Thinfilm effort is just the latest push into printed electronics by a major area employer. Eastman Kodak Co. has named functional printing — meaning using printing-related technology to manufacture such products as electronics and solar cells — as one of the business areas it’s counting on as it looks to rebound after years of declines due to its shrinking film empire.

MDANEMAN@DemocratandChronicle.com

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