Henkel Partners with Brilliant Matters to Address Key Metallization Challenge in Organic Photovoltaic Scale-Up

Brilliant Matters produces advanced, eco-friendly organic semiconductor materials used to manufacture lightweight, flexible, and semi-transparent Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) panels. Unlike conventional silicon-based photovoltaic technology, OPV panels are produced using advanced material inks that can be printed through roll-to-roll manufacturing processes, similar to newspaper printing. (Image: Brilliant Matters)

(IN BRIEF) Henkel and Brilliant Matters have launched a strategic collaboration to co-develop screen-printable silver inks for high-throughput organic photovoltaic panel manufacturing using roll-to-roll production processes. The partnership addresses a major challenge in scaling OPV technologies from laboratory innovation to industrial production, namely the ability to print high-resolution conductive silver lines on sensitive OPV device stacks without creating defects that could reduce panel efficiency or durability. The collaboration builds on Brilliant Matters’ BM10 OPV solution, which enables flexible, semitransparent solar panels with power outputs above 100 W/m² and operational lifetimes exceeding 25 years. By combining Henkel’s expertise in conductive ink formulation and advanced materials with Brilliant Matters’ OPV platform and roll-to-roll manufacturing knowledge, the companies aim to develop metallization solutions that support scalable, reliable and defect-minimized OPV production. Early results show promising potential for integration into industrial manufacturing lines, while both companies will present their work to industry stakeholders at the TechBlick Conference in Mountain View in June 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 8-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Henkel has entered into a strategic collaboration with Brilliant Matters to co-develop screen-printable silver inks designed to support efficient, high-throughput manufacturing of organic photovoltaic panels using roll-to-roll production processes.

The partnership brings together Henkel’s expertise in advanced conductive materials and Brilliant Matters’ leadership in organic semiconductor materials for printed electronics. Together, the companies aim to address a key technical challenge that has limited the industrial scale-up of organic photovoltaic, or OPV, technologies from laboratory development to large-volume manufacturing.

A central focus of the collaboration is the development of silver inks capable of screen printing high-resolution conductive lines directly onto the OPV sub-stack without causing defects that could affect panel performance, efficiency or long-term durability. Reliable metallization at scale remains one of the most important requirements for moving OPV technologies into broader commercial production, particularly when using fast, roll-to-roll manufacturing methods.

The partnership follows Brilliant Matters’ recent introduction of BM10, an advanced OPV solution developed to expand the possibilities for flexible, semitransparent solar panels. BM10 enables the production of OPV panels with power outputs above 100 W/m² under standard test conditions and operational lifetimes exceeding 25 years. Achieving this level of performance in industrial production environments requires careful alignment of active materials, device architecture, conductive layers and manufacturing process steps.

“Delivering high-performance OPV at scale requires more than material innovation – it demands a fully optimized ecosystem,” said Philippe Berrouard, Chief Technology Officer at Brilliant Matters. “Our collaboration with Henkel reflects our commitment to assembling all the critical pieces needed to enable reliable, high-throughput OPV manufacturing.”

Varun Vohra, Engineering Department Manager at Brilliant Matters, said fine-line conductive patterning on sensitive OPV device stacks requires precise control of material formulation, print rheology and process integration. He added that by combining Henkel’s knowledge of advanced conductive inks with Brilliant Matters’ OPV platform and roll-to-roll manufacturing expertise, the companies are developing metallization solutions engineered to support scalable and defect-minimized OPV production.

Henkel contributes broad experience in advanced materials, including conductive inks and adhesives used in printed electronics. Its global manufacturing and materials expertise positions the company to help develop ink technologies that meet the precision, conductivity and process compatibility demands of large-scale OPV panel production.

“By combining Henkel’s in-depth know-how in silver ink formulation and chemistries, with Brilliant Matters’ deep understanding of OPV device architecture, we are accelerating the path toward industrial adoption,” said Thibaut Soulestin, Technology Manager for Printed Electronics at Henkel. “This partnership highlights the importance of cross-industry collaboration in bringing next-generation energy technologies to market.”

Henkel and Brilliant Matters have been working together over the past year on the development of screen-printable silver inks tailored to the needs of high-performance OPV manufacturing. Initial results indicate strong potential for integration into scalable roll-to-roll production lines, supporting the broader commercialization of flexible and semitransparent solar technologies.

The two companies will take part in the TechBlick Conference in Mountain View on June 10–11, 2026, where industry stakeholders in OPV, printed electronics and organic electronics will have the opportunity to engage with both teams.

Brilliant Matters, founded in Canada in 2016, is a deep technology company specializing in thin-film, flexible and semitransparent solar technology. Its innovations are designed to enable next-generation solar solutions that combine performance, durability and design flexibility, supporting integration into buildings, infrastructure and applications where conventional solar panels may not be practical.

Through the collaboration, Henkel and Brilliant Matters aim to help remove a major production bottleneck for OPV technologies and support the industrial adoption of flexible solar solutions for next-generation energy applications.

About Brilliant Matters
Brilliant Matters is a Canadian deep technology company founded in 2016 and a market leader in thin-film, flexible, semitransparent solar technology. Through its proprietary innovations, the company is advancing next-generation solar solutions that combine performance, durability, and design flexibility. Its technologies enable seamless integration into buildings, infrastructure, and emerging applications where conventional solar is impractical. Visit https://brilliantmatters.com/ for more info.

Media Contact:

Sebastian Hinz
Adhesive Technologies
Media Relations
+49-211-797-8594
press@henkel.com

SOURCE: Henkel