From: mk_thisisit
A groundbreaking factory has been established in Berlin, Germany, by a company that specializes in printing light [00:00:00]. This facility is the first of its kind globally [00:41:00], pioneering the “science fiction technology” of printing light screens as thin as a sheet of paper [00:49:00].
Company Origins and Location Choice
The founders, including the speaker, arrived in Germany during the last wave of emigration before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1988 [01:13:00], [01:23:00]. They grew up and received their education in Germany [01:35:00]. The decision to locate the company and its factory in Berlin, rather than Poland, was primarily a business one [06:37:00], [06:40:00].
The first pilot line for printing thin screens was built in Berlin due to the availability of an entire scientific background and team necessary for the technology’s development [06:54:00], [07:21:00]. Moving the entire team to Poland was considered an extremely high risk, potentially introducing additional private and professional problems [07:36:00], [07:49:00]. Furthermore, the fully automated system meant employee costs were not a major factor in the location decision [07:58:00], [08:00:00].
Technology: Printed Light (OLEDs)
The company’s core technology involves printing OLEDs (Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) [07:06:00]. These are luminous elements that are flexible and as thin as paper [01:10:00], [01:13:00]. Currently, the technology prints light in red, green, and blue [00:00:26], [02:29:00], and the products are primarily single-color luminous elements, without pixels yet [01:17:00], [01:21:00]. The ultimate goal is to print full screens capable of displaying Ultra HD quality images [01:35:00], [01:37:00].
Groundbreaking Process
The most groundbreaking aspect of this technology is its production process [01:49:00]. Traditional OLED production involves complex, expensive, and time-consuming pad welding processes in a vacuum, requiring significant investment (around 100 million euros) [01:07:00], [01:29:00], [01:30:00]. To create specific shapes using old methods, expensive masks (100,000 to a million euros each) are needed, making small series production unrealistically expensive [01:17:00], [01:50:00], [01:50:00].
In contrast, this company uses standard printers, typically used for color printing, to apply materials directly onto plastic foils [01:36:00], [01:44:00], [01:48:00]. This digital printing method is significantly cheaper and allows for the production of OLED elements in any shape, a feat practically impossible with older processes [01:40:00], [01:42:00].
Factory and Production Capacity
The factory, opened on March 11 near Berlin [01:46:00], cost approximately 10 million euros [01:46:00]. While this is “crazy cheap” compared to traditional OLED production, it remains a substantial investment [01:28:00]. A significant portion of the cost (about 3-4 million euros) went into the machines, but the largest investment was in the team of engineers who built the entire production process [01:42:00], [01:48:00].
The factory boasts a clean room environment, meeting high cleanliness standards comparable to semiconductor production [03:27:00], [03:34:00]. It features full automation, with robots handling substrates from one process to another, eliminating human presence in certain production zones [03:44:00], [03:52:00], [03:57:00]. Currently, the line can print about 8,000 square meters of OLEDs per year [02:11:00], [02:14:00].
Applications and Future Vision
The technology is incredibly energy-efficient [01:09:00], and its potential applications are vast, extending beyond traditional screens. It can integrate light into everyday objects, changing how we interact with the world [01:15:00]. Possible applications include:
- Integration into clothing to improve visibility [02:04:00], [02:06:00].
- Smart plastic packaging that can indicate expired food or provide usage instructions for medicines [01:02:00], [01:26:00], [02:13:00], [02:15:00].
- Board games with interactive, illuminated timers [02:48:00], [02:51:00].
The company aims to scale its production to enable mass printing of full-color screens for large-quantity applications [02:18:00], [02:35:00], [02:39:00]. They are currently learning to increase efficiency by focusing on luxury products, which help finance technological progress [02:49:00], [02:51:00].
The long-term vision is to change the face of the world, not just aesthetically, but by enabling a more circular society. For example, screens on reusable packaging could eliminate waste and reduce resource consumption [02:10:00], [02:12:00], [02:24:00]. Future advancements could lead to screens the size of a lens, enabling new applications in human vision [02:15:00], [02:18:00]. The company anticipates having the first prototypes of mass-produced, cheaper full-color screens within two years, pending successful supply chain testing [03:45:00], [03:48:00], [03:50:00].
Business Development and Challenges
The company’s valuation is estimated between 100 and 150 million euros [02:37:00], [02:40:00]. Despite high valuations, the founders are not interested in selling the company, driven by a larger vision to help humanity and foster a sustainable society [02:48:00], [02:50:00], [02:50:00].
One of the most significant challenges in their 10-year journey has been working with people [02:51:00], [02:55:00]. While technology is relatively straightforward, building a supportive environment for employees and maintaining strong partnerships is crucial [02:57:00], [03:05:00]. The relationship with the co-founder, Patryk, based on trust and loyalty, has been fundamental to their success [03:46:00], [03:51:00].
Global Market and Poland’s Role
The company has an indirect cooperation with Walmart, through Buffel Games, which released an interactive board game featuring the company’s illuminated element in Walmart stores [02:19:00], [02:42:00], [02:48:00], [02:56:00].
The company views Poland positively and has begun investing there, with a sales office and plans to develop R&D and production for Polish customers [02:52:00], [03:32:00], [03:35:00]. Future production locations will depend on market development and customer density, requiring regional presence for quick delivery [02:54:00], [02:57:00].
Polish politics, through initiatives like the PFR and other capital vehicles, has created a favorable environment for startups by addressing capital shortages [03:19:00], [03:38:00], [03:50:00]. Poles are seen as naturally more inclined to take risks and pursue seemingly impossible ideas, stemming from their history of fighting for independence [03:13:00], [03:18:00]. This “romanticism” and belief in crazy ideas are considered essential for creating a better world [03:36:00], [03:42:00].
Germany’s Technological Debt
Germany is experiencing a “strange feeling” of not being completely free in its actions [00:33:00], [00:39:00]. Historically an export champion and a leading nation, Germany has seen its dominance wane across various sectors, including the automotive industry [01:17:00], [01:31:00]. There was an “insanely great conservatism” that led to a belief that nothing would change, as evidenced by initial skepticism towards electric cars like Tesla [01:46:00], [01:49:00], [01:54:00].
This conservatism also extended to infrastructure, with Germans being surprised by the efficiency of Polish trains and their internet connectivity during the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine [01:57:00], [02:05:00]. Germany is now in a phase of “chasing” to catch up, understanding that the old ways are no longer sustainable [01:51:00], [01:52:00], [02:13:00]. Despite these challenges, German society, particularly the youth, is seen as very positive, focused on principles and values [01:30:00], [01:33:00], [01:38:00]. German companies are also showing more openness and speed in innovation, collaborating personally and valuing quick solutions [01:50:00], [02:05:00], [02:10:00]. This shift is hoped to elevate Europe’s overall innovation level [02:27:00], [02:31:00].