12/04/21

XTPL S.A. to receive funding of over PLN 7.6 million from the National Center for Research and Development.

XTPL S.A., a global leader of ground-breaking nanoprinting solutions for the global electronics market, has advised that it has obtained a recommendation from the National Center for Research and Development (NCBR) to receive funding for the project “Development of breakthrough printing technology of 3D micrometric conductive structures using an innovative printhead capable of printing on non-planar substrates and compatible ink for printed electronics applications”. Implementation of the project is expected to cost over PLN 11.6 million, with nearly PLN 7.7 million to come from the funding recommended for the Company.

The project covered by the sought funding relates to the development and implementation of an innovative technology for printing ultra-thin (micrometric) conductive structures on 3D substrates. This method of technological printing will be applied in the printed electronics sector, including for the manufacture of touch panels, displays, and PCBs.

“Our goal is to fill the existing technological gap as the market needs a solution for precise printing of conductive metallic connections on complex substrates, by which we particularly mean non-planar substrates with a three-dimensional topography. Microelectronics is undergoing a global process of miniaturizing electronic connections on 3D chips, so the surface of semiconductor chips is becoming increasingly precious. In consequence, a need has emerged to manufacture such complex electronic connections in an additive approach, while ensuring that a high number of these connections can be put on small microchip surfaces, namely the need for high packing density and reducing the width of individual connections. Our R&D team is working to address this problem and propose an innovative solution to potential customers. We are glad that the NCBR has recognized the significant value of our project and has issued its funding recommendation. Now we just have to wait for signing the grant agreement,” said Filip Granek, CEO of XTPL S.A.

The project began in Q4 2020 and is expected to continue until the end of September 2023. The grant application was submitted as part of the Fast Track 6/1.1.1/2020 competition, which was addressed to entities planning to develop R&D projects. Out of the 601 submitted and evaluated applications, only 169 were selected for possible financing. The total value of the grant may be PLN 774,236,424.38. The NCBR noted that “the recommended funding amount is subject to change, in particular as a result of verification of the permitted amount of de minimis aid before the grant agreement is signed”.

INNOVATION VALUED BY THE WSE

Innovation is a value also recognized by the Warsaw Stock Exchange, XTPL’s listing market. Today (April 12), the new INNOVATOR Łukasiewicz Index is going to have its first trading session on the stock exchange. A joint initiative of the WSE and the Łukasiewicz Research Network, the index is aimed at promoting the most innovative public companies that develop their potential in cooperation with the scientific sector.

The index will be calculated using closing prices. The values of the INNOVATOR Łukaszewicz Index will be made available via GPW Benchmark to authorized news agencies, just like other stock exchange indices. XTPL S.A. was included in the first composition of the Index among 14 companies listed on the main floor of the WSE, and in the alternative trading system of the NewConnect market.

“Congratulations to the Łukasiewicz Research Network, which successfully pursues the difficult mission of cooperation between science and industry, for its strong development over the last two years. Being included in the new INNOVATOR Łukasiewicz Index is a great honor for us. We are very happy that the innovation which underpins our business has been recognized. Cooperation with the Łukasiewicz Institute is also valuable for us, as it gives us support in further development of our technologies and products. I hope that our membership of the new index will add value to our business and will be reflected in the value for our Shareholders and future Investors,” says Filip Granek, the CEO of XTPL S.A.

All companies participating in the Index have equal weights as of the date of the periodic review. The list of members of the INNOVATOR Łukasiewicz Index will be updated in March, June, September and December, after the last session in a given month.

XTPL closely cooperates with the Łukasiewicz Research Network in terms of access to state-of-the-art research facilities, implementation of selected research services and work on implementation of advanced development programs.

XTPL operates in the innovative printed electronics industry, for which it adapts its proprietary nanoprinting technology. It is a globally unique method of ultra-precise printing: fully scalable, cost-effective and, notably, groundbreaking in terms of additivity. The Company’s solutions are protected by numerous patent applications relating to its technology and possible application fields.