STAMFORD, CT – Worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment spending is projected to total $34.6 billion in 2013, down 8.5% from 2012, says Gartner. The firm says capital spending will decrease 6.8% in 2013, due to diminishing 28nm investment from a softening in the mobile phone market.

LONDON -- The market for printed electronics on flexible circuits will grow from to about $950 million in 2020, from $176 million in 2013, a 27% compound annual growth rate, a new study says. The primary end-markets for the boards include displays, sensing, lighting, energy generation and substrates.