ITALY – With its new Flero STARTEAM (FST) factory in Italy, STARTEAM GLOBAL is setting new standards in the ever-evolving world of printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing. At the heart of this innovation lies the Additive Solder Mask Process, specifically Digital Inkjet Solder Mask Printing —a technology that redefines efficiency, sustainability, and quality in PCB production.
Unlike traditional solder mask methods, which coat the entire board and rely on photomasks to develop patterns, digital inkjet printing applies the mask precisely where it’s needed. This additive approach slashes waste, cuts production steps, and speeds up turnaround times. Traditional processes can take multiple stages — pre-treatment, coating, drying, exposure, development, and curing — while inkjet printing streamlines this to pre-treatment, printing, and curing. The result? A much higher resolution, comparable to conventional photo-imageable masks, with the added perks of flexibility and eco-friendliness.
For customers, this translates to tangible benefits. Faster production means quicker delivery of high-quality PCBs, keeping projects on schedule. The precision of inkjet technology — enabled by advanced systems like Notion Systems’ n.jet and Peters Group’s Elpejet ink — ensures flawless coverage, reducing defects and enhancing reliability. Design changes? No problem. Digital printing adapts without the costly, time-consuming photomask adjustments required in traditional methods. Plus, with less material waste and energy use, it aligns with sustainability goals — a win for environmentally conscious clients.
At FST, STARTEAM GLOBAL leverages this technology to meet the demands of today’s high-performance PCB applications. The process supports varying resist thicknesses and delivers crack-free performance even after multiple reflow cycles, thanks to cutting-edge ink formulations. While the initial investment in inkjet systems is notable, long-term savings from reduced waste and faster workflows make it a smart choice for both manufacturer and customer.
This shift underscores STARTEAM’s 35-year legacy of expertise, now elevated by a commitment to thought leadership in the PCB industry. By adopting digital inkjet printing, we’re not just keeping pace — we’re setting the standard. For existing customers, expect enhanced service and cost efficiencies. For prospects, this is an invitation to partner with a forward-thinking manufacturer delivering premium, customizable PCBs. Interested in how this technology can transform your next project? Contact us at the Flero STARTEAM (FST) factory LinkedIn page or our main LinkedIn page to explore the future of PCB manufacturing — additive, innovative, and customer-focused. For more details, visit the Flero STARTEAM factory page.
Atg Luther Maelzer, a leading supplier of electrical testing solutions for the PCB industry, recently celebrated with a grand opening of their new office and manufacturing facility in Wertheim, Germany.
“We are excited about our new facility and its successful grand opening,” says Dr. Jochen Kleinertz, President of atg Luther Maelzer.
This new location, with three-stories of office space and a large open production hall with meeting spaces, labs and other workspaces will surely provide a dynamic, people-centric work environment for all team members of the atg business line.
Kleinertz continued, “The modern design, spacious areas, and high-quality technical equipment offer great opportunity for creative work and improved infrastructure. This move marks an important step in our development, and we look forward to upcoming projects and challenges in this new environment!”
GERMANY – Ventec International Group, the PCB materials innovator, manufacturer, supplier and one-stop shop for copper clad laminates, prepregs, as well as process consumables and PCB manufacturing equipment has established volume inventory of halogen-free FR4.1 and FR15.1 PCB materials at its European hub in Germany.
“Trading conditions worldwide are challenging the supply chains of high-tech manufacturing businesses, resulting in significant changes to EMEA supply chains for halogen-free laminates and prepregs” commented Mark Goodwin, COO of Ventec. “Our strategic stock investment in these FR4.1 and FR15.1materials strengthens Ventec’s commitment to Europe’s PCB makers and upholds the industry’s commitment to sustainability. While others take a step back from EMEA, Ventec takes a step forward.”
OEMs often look to halogen-free by design, at the substrate level, for compliance with regulations such as RoHS and REACH. Many others make the choice voluntarily to enhance their products’ environmental credentials. A fast and reliable, long-term supply of halogen free laminate and pre-preg materials for PCB production protects the entire value chain, saving costs and delays to source alternative materials. Ventec’s enhanced local stockholding, at the company’s main European base in Kirchheimbolanden, Germany, enhances resilience and turn around with direct shipping to customers throughout the region.
In addition to supporting sustainability, halogen-free FR15.1 materials can deliver superior performance such as thermal stability and reliability compared to FR4 / FR4.1 -based substrates. While FR4 formulas such as Ventec’s VT-481 / VT-47 target general-purpose and cost-sensitive applications, halogen-free FR15.1 VT-441V / VT447V with MOT / RTI ratings over150°C are often chosen for enhanced thermal performance across a wide range of applications including automotive, industrial and increasing commercial aerospace applications.
Ventec’s FR4.1 and FR15.1 materials, VT-441 / VT-441V and VT-447/ VT-447V, provide outstanding thermal reliability, with low Z-axis coefficient or thermal expansion (CTE) and glass transition temperature (Tg) covering the mid-to-high range from 150°C to 190°C. These phenolic-cured materials are resistant to conductive anodic filament (CAF)formation, with electrical and mechanical parameters equivalent to or better than Ventec’s market leading VT-481 and VT-47 FR4 systems.
NORTH AMERICA – We are excited to announce a new partnership aimed at enhancing the fulfillment, value-added conversion, and distribution of PCB base materials across the North American market. This collaboration is set to significantly improve supply chain efficiency, and delivery performance for our North American customers.
The synergies created by our partnership will benefit all our North American customers through our enhanced Just-In-Time (JIT) and logistics model, supported by our five (5) rapid-response warehouses.
Starting June 9th 2025, we will offer expedited delivery of Ventec’s range of Polyimide, FR4, FR4.1 & FR15.1 materials through our Santa Ana warehouse. Over the next few months, we will ramp up operations and extend expedited delivery services to additional locations, ensuring broader and faster access to our high-quality materials.
BOSTON, MA – XTPL S.A., a global leader in high-precision additive manufacturing technology, is pleased to announce the sale and successful installation of its Delta Printing System (DPS) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The system will support advanced research at the university’s Raytheon UMass Lowell Research Institute (RURI) and the Printed Electronics Research Collaborative (PERC).
The XTPL DPS, renowned for its submicron precision and versatility, will play a critical role in developing next-generation printed electronics, sensors, and functional materials. The collaboration strengthens XTPL’s presence in the U.S. research ecosystem and highlights the growing demand for innovative fabrication tools.
“Thanks to the great efforts by our North American team at XTPL Inc. in Boston, we are proud to see the Delta Printing System enabling groundbreaking work at one of the leading research universities in the United States,” said Filip Granek, CEO of XTPL. “This deployment reinforces the value of our technology platform for pushing the boundaries of innovation in fields such as microelectronics, biotechnology, and advanced materials.”
RURI/PERC on the UMass Lowell campus serves as a hub for collaborative research between academia, industry, and government, and the addition of XTPL’s system will further enhance their capabilities in precision printing and functional prototyping.
About the University of Massachusetts Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a Research 1 public university committed to excellence in teaching, research and community engagement. We strive to prepare students to succeed in college and to become lifelong learners and informed citizens in a global environment. UMass Lowell offers affordable, experience-based undergraduate and graduate academic programs taught by internationally recognized faculty who conduct research to expand the horizons of knowledge and sustainable practices. The programs span and interconnect the disciplines of business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. The university continues to build on its founding tradition of innovation, entrepreneurship and partnerships with industry and the community to address challenges facing the region and the world.
About the XTPL S.A.
XTPL is a leading provider of dispensing technology for microelectronics. The company offers a groundbreaking Delta Printing System prototyping solution, which utilises patented Ultra Precise Dispensing (UPD) technology to print conductive or insulating structures such as microbumps, microvias, and interconnects with microLEDs on a wide range of materials, including flexible and heterogeneous surfaces. UPD is used both in the Delta Printing System—an independent machine for prototyping and low-batch production—and in production lines for the additive manufacturing of electronics.
The XTPL solution is an additive process that offers scalability, cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and speed. It also provides unprecedented precision in the 0.50–10 micrometer range, all without the use of an electric field. UPD technology can be applied in additive manufacturing industries such as OLED and MicroLED displays, semiconductors, advanced PCBs, and healthtech.
MORTSEL, BELGIUM – Agfa, a leading supplier of conductive materials for the printed electronics sector, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Technica USA as the distributor for its Orgacon range of printed electronics products across the United States.
The agreement, effective immediately, marks a significant step in Agfa’s mission to expand its reach and deliver innovative conductive materials to the American
Orgacon is Agfa’s advanced portfolio of conductive inks and coatings that includes coating formulations and EL-P screen inks engineered to meet the highest industry standards for optical, anti-static and printed electronic applications.
Technica, founded in 1985 and headquartered in San Jose, California, brings over 40 years of expertise and a trusted reputation in the North American PCB, SMT assembly, and microelectronics markets. Known for its solutions-driven approach and commitment to innovation, Technica’s entry into the printed electronics sector through this partnership will provide Agfa with expanded customer outlets and enhanced local support.
Technica will be present at Agfa’s booth F7 at TechBlick from 11-12 June in Boston, USA.
Jason Perry, President of Technica USA, said: “This partnership marks Technica’s first entry into the Printed Electronics Market. Our mission of expanding into new and innovative product ranges made Agfa a natural partner. We are excited to bring Agfa’s Orgacon products to our customers, supporting innovation in emerging applications.”
Scott Ansbaugh, Sales Manager – PCB and Orgacon at Agfa, added: “Technica stood out as the ideal partner for distributing our Orgacon conductive inks range in the USA owing to their long-standing relationships and high degree of technical expertise. These assets will be invaluable as we deliver Orgacon’s advanced materials to a wider audience of printed electronics and advanced coating customers. We are excited about driving the next wave of innovation and growth for Orgacon inks in the USA.”
