E-Paper Displays: E Ink and Fujifilm Target Japan’s Railway Industry

E Ink and Fujifilm Imaging Systems are jointly building a business around large-format color e-paper displays, with Japan’s railway industry as the target market, according to invidis.

The Taiwanese e-paper maker already supplies its technology to major international hardware manufacturers. Fujifilm Imaging Systems sells the Fujifilm group’s portfolio in Japan and brings experience with printing and color requirements in the transportation sector to the partnership.

Takashi Toyofuku, director at Fujifilm Imaging Systems, said the company’s expertise in imaging, printing, color management and quality control strongly complements E Ink’s pioneering role in e-paper technology. Japanese rail operators are increasingly looking for alternatives to paper posters, citing staff shortages and rising costs for printing, transporting, hanging and disposing of posters.

JM Hung, president of E Ink Holdings, said the company sees significant opportunities for its e-paper to replace conventional printed posters in Japan’s transportation industry. E Ink is already testing color e-paper as advertising space at Tokyo Station.

For future projects, the partners plan to support customers from the initial proposal through installation to operation. E Ink also announced two new products for the market.

The first is a 55-inch display from the Marquee technology, a color e-paper for outdoor use; a prototype is scheduled for December 2026, with market launch planned for March 2027. The same series will also include an e-paper display in B1 format, measuring 71 by 100 centimeters, or about 28 by 39 inches; a prototype is planned for October 2027, with market launch in January 2028.