Press Release
E INK AND AIR PRODUCTS TO JOINTLY DEVELOP NEXT GENERATION MATERIALS FOR ELECTRONIC INK DISPLAYS
Air Products Makes Investment and Will Provide Materials Expertise to Advance Development of E Ink Displays
Cambridge, MA. and ALLENTOWN, PA. - January 28, 2002 – E Ink Corporation, the leading developer and marketer of electronic ink technology for paper-like displays, and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD), the leading supplier of electronic gases, chemicals and services to the global electronics industry, have joined forces to develop next generation materials for electronic ink displays.
Offering significant advantages over other display technologies, electronic ink has broad applicability, from point-of-sale signs in retail stores; to next generation displays in mobile telecommunications devices and PDAs; to thin, portable electronic books and newspapers. In keeping with its strategy to expand its participation in this growing electronic display market via a value-added materials offering, Air Products has taken a minority interest in E Ink under which it will provide technical support for the joint development of electronic materials.
"We view our investment in E Ink as an opportunity to take an ownership stake in the leader of an emerging technology area," said Gerald G. Ermentrout, vice president and general manager of Air Products' Electronics Division. "In addition to our efforts to increase sales of products and services to existing display manufacturers, this investment will enable our companies to work together in the actual development and commercialization of new, emerging display technologies," he said.
Mr. Ermentrout noted that electronic materials supply into this emerging worldwide electronic display market represents a multi-million dollar annual opportunity for Air Products.
E Ink's Vice President and General Manager, Russ Wilcox, noted that his company's mission is to create a dynamic high-resolution display that is thin, flexible and rugged enough to become the next generation paper. Coupled with broadband communications, it would allow users to fully realize the dream of anytime, anywhere information.
"As we transition to active commercial status and begin to ship products this year, we will rely on the knowledge and expertise of Air Products in the field of electronic materials to enhance our capabilities and achieve the full vision of electronic paper," Wilcox said.
About Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (www.airproducts.com) is the world's only combined gases and chemicals company. Founded more than 60 years ago, the business has annual revenues of $5.7 billion and operations in 30 countries. Air Products is a market leader in the global electronics and chemical processing industries, and a longstanding innovator in many industrial markets, including coatings, adhesives and polyurethanes. The company distinguishes itself through its 18,000 employees around the world, who build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion.
About E Ink Holdings
Founded in 1992 by Taiwan's leading papermaking and printing group YFY (1907.TW), E Ink Holdings Inc. "E Ink" (8069.TW) is the pioneer of TFT and ePaper business in Taiwan. Its corporate philosophy aims to deliver revolutionary products, user experiences, and environmental benefits through advanced technology development. This vision has led to its continuous investments in the field of ePaper display as well as its 2008 acquisition of Hydis Technologies, manufacturer of the world's best wide viewing angle LCDs and its 2009 acquisition of E Ink Corp., the worldwide leader in ePaper. Listed in Taiwan's GreTai Securities Market and the Luxembourg market, E Ink is now the world's largest supplier of displays to the eBook market. For corporate information, please visit www.einkgroup.com; for EPD information, please visit www.eink.com / tw.eink.com; and for FFS information, please visit www.hydis.com.