The Future of E-Paper: A Technology Assessment and Market Forecast

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

• E.1 Introduction
• E.2 E-Paper Capabilities
  • E.2.1 Optical Performance
  • E.2.2 Color
  • E.2.3 Power
  • E.2.4 Speed
  • E.2.5 Manufacturing Cost
• E.3 Key Players and Technologies
  • E.3.1 Evolution of an E-Paper Supply Chain
• E.4 E-Paper Markets
  • E.4.1 Electronic Signage
  • E.4.2 Portable Electronics
  • E.4.3 Disposable Electronics
• E.5 Summary of Eight-Year Forecasts

Chapter One: Introduction

• 1.1 Towards a Definition of E-paper
• 1.2 A Growing Slate of Technologies, and Competitors
• 1.3 Why E-Paper Now?
• 1.4 E-Paper Applications
• 1.5 Technology Directions for E-Paper
• 1.6 Objectives and Scope of this Report
• 1.7 Methodology of this Report
• 1.8 Plan of this Report

Chapter Two: Technical Trends in E-Paper

• 2.1 Introduction: The Rise of E-Paper
• 2.2 A Class Called E-Paper
• 2.3 Many Paths to E-Paper
• 2.4 Performance Metrics
  • 2.4.1 Optical Characteristics
  • 2.4.2 Cranking Out Color
  • 2.4.3 The Power Picture
  • 2.4.4 The Speed Story
  • 2.4.5 Other Metrics
• 2.5 E-Paper Varieties
  • 2.5.1 EPDs
  • 2.5.2 Electrochromic Displays (ECDs)
  • 2.5.3 Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Displays (ChLCDs)
  • 2.5.4 Bistable Nematic LCDs
  • 2.5.5 Electrowetting Displays (EWDs)
  • 2.5.6 Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Displays
• 2.6 Key Points in this Chapter

Chapter Three: E-Paper Market Analysis

• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 Tags, Labels and Signage
  • 3.2.1 Information Signs
  • 3.2.2 Smart Tags and Labels
  • 3.2.3 Advertising and Promotional Signs
  • 3.2.4 Billboards
• 3.3 Mobile Displays
  • 3.3.1 E-Book Readers
  • 3.3.2 Niche Handheld Applications
  • 3.3.3 Mobile Phones
• 3.4 Disposable Products
  • 3.4.1 Smartcards
  • 3.4.2 Smart Packaging
• 3.5 Clocks and Watches
• 3.6 Other E-Paper Applications
  • 3.6.1 Computer Peripherals
  • 3.6.2 Products Requiring Flexible Substrates
• 3.7 Summary of Key Points in this Chapter

Chapter Four: Company Profiles

• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Acreo AB (ECD)
• 4.3 Aveso Inc. (ECD)
  • 4.3.1 First ECD Products
  • 4.3.2 Next Steps
• 4.4 Bridgestone Corp. (EPD)
  • 4.4.1 Going Flexible
• 4.5 Dai Nippon Printing Company, Ltd. (Various)
• 4.6 E Ink Corporation (EPD)
• 4.7 Fuji Xerox (ChLCD)
• 4.8 Fujitsu Frontech (ChLCD)
• 4.9 Kent Displays Inc.
  • 4.9.1 E-Paper Products
• 4.10 Liquavista
• 4.10.1 Product Platforms
• 4.11 Magink Display Technologies (ChLCD Billboards)
• 4.12 Nemoptic (Bistable TN LCD)
  • 4.12.1 BiNem Products and Partnerships
  • 4.12.2 Moving Forward
• 4.13 Ntera (ECD)
• 4.14 Polymer Vision (Rollable EPDs)
• 4.15 Prime View International (EPD, EWD, MEMS, et al)
• 4.16 Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc. (MEMS)
• 4.17 Siemens (ECD)
• 4.18 SiPix Imaging Inc. (EPD)
• 4.19 Toppan Printing Company, Ltd. (EPD et al)
• 4.20 Varitronix International Ltd. (Bistable TN LCD, ChLCD)
• 4.21 ZBD Displays Ltd. (Bistable TN LCD)

Chapter Five: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper Market

• 5.1 Forecasting Methodology
  • 5.1.1 How Much Confidence Should You Have in These Forecasts?
  • 5.1.2 Changes from Previous NanoMarkets Forecasts of E-Paper
• 5.2 Signage
  • 5.2.1 Outdoor Displays
  • 5.2.2 Indoor Information and Advertising Displays
  • 5.2.3 Smart Shelves, Electronic Shelf Labels and POP Displays
• 5.3 Computing and Communications
  • 5.3.1 E-Book Readers
  • 5.3.2 Cell Phone Main and Sub-Displays
  • 5.3.3 Other Handheld Devices
  • 5.3.4 Laptop and Desktop Computers
• 5.4 Disposable Electronics
  • 5.4.1 Smartcards
  • 5.4.2 Smart Packaging
• 5.5 Other Applications
• 5.6 Summary of Projections
• 5.7 Forecast of E-Paper Markets by Technology
• 5.8 Forecast of Intrinsically Flexible E-Paper Markets

Appendix: Acronym Guide

About the Author

List of Exhibits

• Exhibit E-1: Summary of E-Paper Revenues ($ Millions)
• Exhibit 2-1: E-Paper Technologies Compared Part I
• Exhibit 2-2: E-Paper Technologies Compared Part II
• Exhibit 2-3: Simple Acreo ECD Graphic
• Exhibit 2-4: Ntera ECD Clock
• Exhibit 2-5: SiPix Smart Area-Color Label
• Exhibit 2-6: E-Paper and its Backplanes
• Exhibit 2-7: E Ink EPD Principle
• Exhibit 2-8: Flexible E Ink Sign
• Exhibit 2-9: Prime View EPD Modules
• Exhibit 2-10: SiPix Imaging' s EPD Microcups
• Exhibit 2-11: AM Microcup EPD with Area Color
• Exhibit 2-12: R2R Manufacturing of Passive Microcups
• Exhibit 2-13: Acreo ECD on Paper with Organic Electrodes
• Exhibit 2-14: Acreo ECD Newspaper Demo
• Exhibit 2-15: Aveso ECD Smartcard Module
• Exhibit 2-16: Aveso ECD in Wearable Computer for Soldiers
• Exhibit 2-17: Ntera ECD Principle
• Exhibit 2-18: Ntera ECDs Pass Lamination Test
• Exhibit 2-19: Example ChLCD Architecture
• Exhibit 2-20: Varitronix 2-Color ChLCD Modules
• Exhibit 2-21: Modular ChLCD Tiles
• Exhibit 2-22: Magink' s Outdoor ChLCD Billboards
• Exhibit 2-23: Tiled Matrix Characteristics
• Exhibit 2-24: Flexible Kent ChLCD
• Exhibit 2-25: Curved ChLCD on Inhaler
• Exhibit 2-26: BiNem Operating Principle
• Exhibit 2-27: ZBD Display Principle
• Exhibit 2-28: Demo EWD Watch
• Exhibit 2-29: Demo EWD Clock
• Exhibit 2-30: IMOD Operating Principle
• Exhibit 2-31: IMOD Demo Cell Phone
• Exhibit 3-1: Reflective E-Paper Enables Outdoor Operation
• Exhibit 3-2: Applications of E-Paper
• Exhibit 3-3: Common Signage Types
• Exhibit 3-4: Drivers for E-Paper in Three Signage Markets
• Exhibit 3-5: Kent InfoSign Example
• Exhibit 3-6: ChLCD Public Information Board
• Exhibit 3-7: Paper Labels in Grocery Applications
• Exhibit 3-8: Where POP Pays Off
• Exhibit 3-9: Simple ECD Tag
• Exhibit 3-10: Dot-Matrix Smart Label
• Exhibit 3-11: Bistable LCD POP/POS Sign
• Exhibit 3-12: Area-Color POP/POS Sign
• Exhibit 3-13: Tiled Indoor ChLCD Display
• Exhibit 3-14: Tiled Outdoor ChLCD Billboard
• Exhibit 3-15: Honeywell Military E-Book
• Exhibit 3-16: A Sampling of E-Book Readers
• Exhibit 3-17: Cell Phone Display Comparison
• Exhibit 3-18: Market Drivers for Display Cards
• Exhibit 3-19: Benefits of One-Time Password Cards
• Exhibit 3-20: Citizen Shows Flexible E Ink Clock
• Exhibit 3-21: Plastic Logic/ E Ink E-Newspaper Demo
• Exhibit 4-1: A Sampling of E-Paper Relationships
• Exhibit 5-1: Addressable Market for E-Paper in Signage Applications (Millions of Units)
• Exhibit 5-2: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in Outdoor Billboards and Advertising
• Exhibit 5-3: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in Indoor Advertising
• Exhibit 5-4: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in Indoor Information Displays
• Exhibit 5-5: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in ESLs and POP Displays
• Exhibit 5-6: Eight-Year Forecasts of Market for E-Paper E-Book Readers
• Exhibit 5-7: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in Cell Phones
• Exhibit 5-8: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in Other Handhelds
• Exhibit 5-9: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in Computers and Peripherals
• Exhibit 5-10: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in Smartcards
• Exhibit 5-11: Eight-Year Forecasts of E-Paper in Smart Packaging
• Exhibit 5-12: Summary of E-Paper Revenues ($ Million)
• Exhibit 5-13: Forecast of E-Paper Applications by Technology ($ Millions)
• Exhibit 5-14: Forecast of Intrinsically Flexible Displays