The Electronic Paper Display Market size is estimated at USD 2.61 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 5.14 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 14.54% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The rising demand for on-the-move information, along with the growing number of electronic readers, and the development of easy-to-use display devices, are among some of the significant factors driving the demand for the electronic paper display market.
Key Highlights
- EPDs are currently being deployed for many applications, including retail and transport, such as bus stops and rail information boards. For instance, in Japan, E Ink Holdings and Papercast have produced a solar-powered electronic paper passenger information display technology for a smart bus stop project. The Jerusalem Transportation Master Plan Team (JTMT) has advanced passenger information systems at bus stops with solar-powered e-paper displays.
- E-paper displays are widely used in e-readers and the booming Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) segment. Retail stores must dedicate long hours of employee time to print, stick, and replace traditional paper labels on store shelves for every single product and SKU. Installing miniature e-paper display labels enables dynamic pricing and frees employees to focus on helping customers.
- In addition to e-readers and ESLs, e-paper displays have been used for indoor signage, for instance, at event venues, hospitals, and hotels. They are lightweight, battery-powered, can be mounted virtually anywhere, moved around easily, and can be integrated with calendaring systems to update automatically. Other new e-paper applications being tried include menu boards, public transit signs, and baggage tags.
- The monochrome display boasts low power consumption, easy software design, small form factors, and low cost relative to full-color alternatives. Color display alternatives are generally more expensive but provide sharp, colorful images and high-performing graphics. Depending on factors such as cost and power consumption, a color graphical display is the best way to increase the perceived value and stay ahead of the competitors but providing a colorful display at an affordable cost is a challenge for the market.
- The electronics devices segment was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, as countries such as China, which is one of the major suppliers of raw materials and finished products, witnessed multiple challenges. The industry is still facing a reduction in production, disruption in the supply chain, and price fluctuations. The sales of prominent electronic companies are also expected to be affected shortly. Further, the restriction of the movement led to decreased outdoor advertising spending, negatively impacting the demand for electronic paper displays.
E-Paper Display Market Trends
The Consumer Electronics Industry is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share
EPD is an integral part of consumer electronics as well as wearable. Growing demand for consumer electronics over the forecast period majorly contributes to the market growth owing to the constant need for display technologies. Furthermore, the intense penetration of mobile phones, tablets, and smartphones fuels growth in the consumer electronics industry, which demands more effective display technologies. Additionally, E-ink technology is used for most consumer electronics to provide low eye strain and enhanced battery life. According to Cisco Systems, Wearables in North America and Asia Pacific are expected to account for around 70% of global wearable 5G connectivity in 2022.
The rising availability of free e-books on the internet and a shift in preference among tech-savvy users from traditional books toward portable electronic reading devices are expected to drive the EPD market. Most American adults own a tablet, smartphone, or e-reader device, with the majority using tablets for reading eBooks. Electronic ink technology produces low-power paper, like a display used primarily in e-book readers, such as Amazon's Kindle.
Electronic paper displays are widely adopted in the wearables industry. Wearables, such as fitness trackers, have gained significant traction owing to increased fitness trends across consumers. Plastic Logic's ultra-thin and flexible e-paper displays have been gaining adoption, given the enormous opportunities they open up in wearable device applications, such as watches and devices, for mobile health monitoring.
EPDs are employed in smart home devices, such as smart thermostats or smart displays, where low power consumption and easy readability are important. EPDs can display information like temperature and weather updates or even act as digital sticky notes. In addition, EPDs find applications in various Internet of Things (IoT) devices, where their low power requirements and visibility in different lighting conditions are advantageous.
EPDs are integrated into smart packaging and labels for consumer products. These labels can display dynamic information, such as product details, expiration dates, or promotional messages. EPDs provide an interactive and eye-catching way to communicate with consumers and enhance the product experience.
North America is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share
- North America holds a considerable share of the global EPD market. The region has witnessed steady growth due to the increasing demand for EPDs in various sectors, such as e-readers, retail, signage, and wearables. Factors like the popularity of e-books, the need for energy-efficient display solutions, and the growing adoption of smart devices drive the market.
- North America has been a significant market for e-readers, and EPDs play a crucial role in this segment. With the popularity of e-books and the presence of major e-reader manufacturers, EPDs have gained significant traction in North America. EPDs offer a comfortable reading experience, long battery life, and excellent visibility, making them a preferred choice for e-readers.
- The retail sector in North America has embraced electronic paper displays, particularly for electronic shelf labels (ESLs). EPDs provide efficient pricing and information updates, reducing manual labor and costs. Moreover, digital signage applications in North America, such as in-store displays and outdoor billboards, leverage the benefits of EPDs for energy-efficient and easily readable content.
- The North American market is known for its high adoption of wearable devices and smartwatches. EPDs are increasingly incorporated into these devices, offering always-on displays, excellent visibility, and low power consumption. The demand for smartwatches and fitness trackers in North America has propelled the growth of EPDs in this segment.
- North America is a hub for technological advancements and innovation in the EPD market. Companies in the region are actively involved in research and development efforts to improve EPD technology, such as enhancing color reproduction, refresh rates, and flexibility. These advancements contribute to the growth of the EPD market in North America.
E-Paper Display Industry Overview
The Electronic Paper Display Market is moderately fragmented, with the presence of major players like Plastic Logic GmbH, E-Ink Holdings Inc., Clear Ink Displays, Pervasive Displays Inc., and Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. Players in the market are adopting strategies such as partnerships, collaboration, and acquisitions to enhance their product offerings and gain sustainable competitive advantage.
September 2022: Sharp Display Technology Corporation (SDTC), one of the leading companies in the field of displays, and E Ink Holdings Inc. (E Ink), the originator, pioneer, and one of the global commercial leaders in digital paper technology, announced their collaboration and adoption of SDTC's indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO*2) backplanes for ePaper modules used in eReader and eNote products. For almost ten years, E Ink has been researching the use of oxide thin film transistors (TFTs) for electrophoretic technology, and it plans to extend its ePaper product range utilizing oxide TFTs.
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