Revolutionizing Sustainability: Why E-Paper is the Future and Who’s Leading the Industry

Preface

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, global business models have undergone significant transformations. Many companies and schools have adopted remote work and learning to comply with social distancing policies, leading to a surge in sales of electronic devices such as computers and tablets. However, as these devices primarily use LCD or OLED screens, prolonged use can cause eye fatigue, and their weight often increases due to the complexity of their functionalities.

As a result, the lightweight and eye-friendly features of e-paper, coupled with the growing focus on sustainability, have created new opportunities for its development. Beyond e-readers, the demand for electronic labels has seen exponential growth in recent years. This article will provide an in-depth look at the global status of e-paper and explore the development opportunities for Taiwanese manufacturers.

E-Paper Display Method

E-paper differs from conventional LCD and OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens. Unlike these displays, e-paper mimics the appearance of traditional paper, relying on ambient light to illuminate its surface. This unique feature combines the advantages of digital displays and traditional paper, allowing for real-time content updates while providing a paper-like visual experience. Additionally, e-paper is more energy-efficient than tablets and offers eye-friendly and environmentally sustainable benefits. Current e-paper technology can be broadly categorized into two types: Electrophoretic Displays (EPD) and Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Displays (ChLCD) (as illustrated in Figure 1).

1. Electrophoretic Display (EPD): EPD technology uses charged microcapsules filled with pigments, controlled by an external electric field to manipulate the movement of charged particles within the fluid. When these particles shift to specific positions, they create different colors and visual effects. Currently, E Ink Corporation (8069.TWO)? leads the market in EPD technology, commanding over 90% of the global market share. However, competitors like Guangzhou OED Technologies in China primarily produce monochrome ink films.
2. Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Display (ChLCD): ChLCD is an extension of LCD technology, utilizing cholesteric liquid crystals that naturally exhibit colors such as red, green, and blue. By applying an electric field, the molecular orientation can be controlled, allowing the display to achieve 256 grayscale states and ultimately produce 16.78 million vibrant colors.

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