Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Japan's Komori Machinery Co. have jointly announced the one-step printing R2R (roll-to-roll processing) metal mesh to replace the indium tin oxide (ITO), the most commonly used conductive layer material for touch panels used in smartphones, tablets, and notebook PCs, reported Economic Daily News on August 27.The new touch panel technology promises to reduce costs by 30% and is ready for mass production in the fourth quarter. The metal mesh is highly transparent and responsive, and can meet the requirements of mobile devices for ultra-slim design, narrow bezel, low cost, and simplified manufacturing processes. ITRI and Komori began their cooperation project in January 2013.