As you can see from this market report about the RFID market, there’s a very large silver lining: Printed Electronics.
Keep an eye on companies like Conductive InkJet Technologies developing these manufacturing processes.
From an environmental perspective, there are some big advantages to using an additive manufacturing process like this, particularly the reduction in wasted material. Traditional printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing processes are subtractive – you start with a copper-clad board and remove all the unwanted metal.
From an individual designer/hacker perspective, rapid prototyping circuits at your desk, literally on a piece of paper or mylar, is a very exciting prospect.
Origami robotics, anyone?