With the establishment of the Fraunhofer ENAS the department Printed Functionalities was founded that embodies the core competence "Printing Technologies for Functional Layers and Components".

The core competence "Printing Technologies for Functional Layers and Components" includes the usage and optimization of industrial printing technologies (gravure, flexo, screen printing and inkjet printing) for defined pictorially application of functional coatings for application-relevant, usually flexible substrates.

The close cooperation with the Chair of Digital Printing and Imaging Technology of the Institute for Print and Media Technology pmTUC at Chemnitz University of Technology and the related technological width are particular strengths of this core competence. Unique features are in the field of inkjet pilot line with the available roll-to-roll printing machines for inkjet, flexo and gravure printing. Die to the aforementioned flexibility of implementation of various technical printing substrates and printing materials, a broadband research and development area opens up starting from printed batteries via printed reactive functional layers up to the printed low-cost radio frequency identification antenna systems which have been adapted to the specific demands of their usage.

Depending on the particular application, suitable printing methodes are selected taking into account the requested purpose, whereby customer needs are flexibly and specifically considered in the context of the technical possibilities. The process advantages of an effective, pictorial material application of functional layers at defined locations on the substrate (additive technology) limit the use of materials to the required areas and therefore costs for customers. To achieve the goal of transferring the manufacturing process into mass production, the imagewise coating is carries out under ambient conditions. Only oxygen and humidity-sensitive materials require processing in an artificial atmosphere.