The e-paper market has entered a new growth phase in 2025, driven by a rise in color e-paper demand for commercial use cases such as low-power digital signage and electronic shelf labels. Industry leaders E Ink and Netronix are at the forefront and are benefiting the most from this latest trend, Digitimes reported.
Why 2025 feels different for E-paper
After years as a niche technology for black-and-white e-readers, e-paper is broadening into color and large-format applications. E Ink’s recent product pushes, which include full-color Spectra modules and larger panels along with order surges for electronic shelf labels and signage, have created a market inflection point. That momentum is prompting OEMs and ODMs to introduce new product categories from pocket-sized color readers to 75-inch signage modules.
Netronix: from color e-readers to signage and foldables
Netronix has long been known as an e-reader OEM is seeing a strong rebound in 2024, driven by color e-reader sales, and is now accelerating into foldable devices and large-format e-paper signage. Industry briefings and company filings show Netronix moved a majority of its shipments to color units in 2024 (roughly two-thirds of shipments) and expects the share of color e-paper to rise in 2025. Netronix has begun shipping e-paper advertising machines, and management and partners expect signage to become a meaningful revenue stream beyond e-readers.
e-Paper demand drivers: color, ESG, and total cost of ownership
Three converging factors explain the surge:
- Color capability — the emergence of new Kaleido or Spectra color e-paper display technology has significantly narrowed the visual quality gap with LCD and OLED panels, delivering richer colors and sharper detail than earlier generations, even though they are not yet full replacements. It’s no surprise that they are now being used in a wider range of applications than ever before.
- Operational savings & ESG — e-Paper signage solutions and ESLs consume far less energy than LCD/OLED alternatives. Plus, they also reduce paper waste and help save more money. Adapting e-paper display tech is turning out to be more profitable for retailers and brands in the long run.
- New form factors — e-paper displays are now available in more size options than it has ever been. We now have smaller color e-readers with cellular connectivity, e-readers with foldable panels, and large poster-style displays, which have enabled companies to tap into a wider section of the market.
Manufacturing and supply caveats
Strong early-year demand has stressed production. Reports show E Ink’s expansion lines (H5/H6) and capacity for large-format/color panels have encountered technical and timing challenges, creating short-term constraints and order re-timing risks in late 2025. That dynamic can boost near-term pricing and emphasize the first-mover advantage for manufacturers with usable capacity.
What this means for Western buyers and enterprise customers
For retailers, transit agencies, and facilities teams in Western markets, e-paper now represents a practical path to low-power, remotely updateable signage and shelf labels that reduce print runs and operations costs. Brands should evaluate pilots now: the tech is mature enough for indoor/outdoor posters and ESLs, but be mindful of lead times for large, color modules. Meanwhile, consumers should expect more color e-reader options and premium small-format devices from niche makers and ODMs.
Market outlook
Independent market summaries project strong growth for the e-paper display market into the next decade, though the size and CAGR vary by analyst. Most agree: color and large-format signage are the principal engines, and companies that scale production while managing quality will capture the lion’s share. Analysts expect continued investment in manufacturing and panels, and several device launches (including both consumer e-readers and enterprise signage) scheduled into 2025–2026.
Conclusion
As color e-paper technology continues to mature, its appeal is expanding well beyond traditional e-readers. While LCD and OLED panels still lead in color depth and refresh rates, the rapid improvements seen in Kaleido and Spectra displays are narrowing that gap. With growing interest from retail, transit, and commercial signage sectors, e-paper is steadily transforming from a niche innovation into a mainstream low-power display solution.
