Mitsubishi Electric announced that it has invested in Elephantech Inc. and entered into a partnership with the company to accelerate the adoption of inkjet printing technology for manufacturing printed circuit boards.
Elephantech, a startup specializing in nano-ink technology, has developed a manufacturing process that uses copper nano-ink and inkjet printing to form electronic circuits directly on substrates. Unlike traditional printed circuit board production methods, the technology prints conductive material only where it is needed, significantly reducing the number of manufacturing steps.
The approach is designed to lower environmental impact across the electronics manufacturing process. According to the companies, Elephantech’s method reduces copper and water consumption and cuts carbon dioxide emissions compared with conventional PCB production techniques. The streamlined process can also reduce manufacturing costs.
Under the partnership agreement, Mitsubishi Electric will begin offering factory automation solutions that incorporate Elephantech’s inkjet printing technology to PCB manufacturers. The companies plan to combine Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial automation expertise with Elephantech’s printing technology to accelerate adoption across the electronics industry.
Looking ahead, Mitsubishi Electric also intends to utilize Elephantech’s specialized technology within its own manufacturing operations. The companies plan to collaborate on the development and mass production of inkjet printing equipment and expand the market for printed circuit board manufacturing using the technology.
Mitsubishi Electric had previously invested in Elephantech through its corporate venture capital fund in May 2023. The new investment and partnership deepen the relationship between the two companies as they work to advance lower impact manufacturing solutions for the electronics sector.
