CypoPrint is the name of a new range of metal-based inks from BASF destined for the production of flexible antennas for RFID tags. The non-conductive inks from BASF are said to offer a cost-efficient and more eco-friendly alternative to the current etching technique.
The benefits of additive manufacturing compared to etching, according to BASF, are the efficient use of raw materials and the lower environmental impact. The CypoPrint inks replace expensive, conductive printing pastes previously used in the additive process and ‘substantially’ reduce the manufacturing costs of RFID antennas.
The inks are applied to polyester films using a standard printing process and then given a conductive metallic coating in an electroplating system for flexible electronics.