DP Patterning

DP Patterning AB provides a disruptive manufacturing solution for the electronics industry, specifically targeting the production of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs). The company was founded in Norrköping, Sweden, in 2013 by Staffan Nordlinder, who also serves as CEO. The founding was the culmination of an idea Nordlinder conceived in 2001, followed by 15 years of research and development aimed at creating a sustainable and profitable production process. Nordlinder's background includes work as an industrial electrician and later as a scientist at the research institute Acreo (now part of RISE), which inspired him to commercialize new technology.

The core of the company's offering is its patented Dry Phase Patterning (DPP) technology. This is a mechanical, reel-to-reel process that manufactures FPCBs without the use of wet chemicals or liquid inks typically associated with traditional etching. The process involves pressing a patterned cliché onto a metal-coated film and then using a precision milling wheel to mechanically remove the unwanted metal, leaving the desired circuit pattern. This method is significantly faster than conventional techniques, capable of processing materials at up to 30 meters per minute, and reduces the environmental impact by over 98%, according to a Fraunhofer Institute analysis. Waste is collected as clean, recyclable metal shavings.

Initially, DP Patterning focused on selling its DPP 360 machine to manufacturers. However, due to customer demand for direct access to the technology without upfront machinery investment, the company pivoted its business model. It now operates as a component producer, manufacturing and delivering finished flexible circuit boards directly to its clients. This shift allows customers to benefit from rapid prototyping and high-volume production with shorter lead times and greater quality control. The company serves front-runners in the automotive, LED lighting, and RFID antenna sectors, with clients including Mühlbauer Group in Germany and Gentherm in the U.S. In December 2024, DP Patterning secured a significant investment of SEK 25 million from the listed investment firm Byggmästaren, with an option for an additional SEK 25 million, to scale production and expand its workforce.

Keywords: Dry Phase Patterning, flexible printed circuit boards, FPCB manufacturing, sustainable electronics, mechanical etching, green-tech production, reel-to-reel process, in-house circuit production, automotive electronics, RFID antennas, LED lighting circuits, Staffan Nordlinder, circuit board technology, clean-tech, electronics manufacturing, component supplier, Norrköping, RISE spin-off, Byggmästaren, flex foil patterning