Press Release
E INK AND TOPPAN ANNOUNCE MANUFACTURING AND MARKETING AGREEMENT FOR LARGE AREA ELECTRONIC PAPER DISPLAYS
Prototype Of Electronic Paper Sign Developed By TOPPAN Using E Ink's Electronic Ink Technology
Cambridge, MA. and Tokyo, Japan - October 20, 2004 – E Ink Corporation, the world's leading developer and marketer of electronic paper display technology and TOPPAN Printing Co., Ltd. a leader in the global printing industry, today announced an agreement for TOPPAN to manufacture and market segmented electronic paper displays modules for use in public signs. Under the terms of the agreement, TOPPAN will utilize E Ink® Imaging Film products in the manufacture and assembly of these display modules.
In contrast to traditional display technologies on the market today, E Ink's reflective paper-like display technology enables displays that are extremely easy-to-read at virtually any angle and under any lighting condition - including direct sunlight. Ultra-low power consumption and low heat dissipation have the potential to eliminate the need for noisy, power consuming fans; thus making quiet, battery-operation possible for certain applications. The thin, light form of these electronic paper displays offers a wide range of sign installation options for customers which are currently constrained by existing heavy display products. TOPPAN is targeting the sale of these display modules to system integrators of public and transportation signs in fiscal 2005.
Starting in 2001, the two companies entered a strategic alliance to develop, manufacture and sell E Ink Imaging Film products for electronic paper displays. With this current agreement, TOPPAN plans to enter the business of manufacturing and selling segmented display modules. To manufacture an electronic paper display module, TOPPAN laminates the E Ink Imaging Film to a printed circuit board and then adds additional display electronics to produce electronic display tiles. The current controller can drive up to 90 of these tiles to make large area signs.
A prototype will be displayed at the E Ink booth #266 at "FPD International 2004" (Produced by Nikkei BP, October 20 to 22, at Pacifico Yokohama Exhibit Hall). This prototype is the result of a cooperative development between TOPPAN Printing Co., Ltd., NEC TOPPAN Circuit Solutions, Inc., TOPPAN Technical Design Center Co., Ltd. and E Ink Corporation.
About TOPPAN Printing Co., LTD.
Formed in 1900, TOPPAN Printing Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan is a leader in the global printing industry. With its consolidated subsidiaries, TOPPAN had net sales of 1,252 Billion Yen (10.4 Billion US$) with 33,292 employees in fiscal 2003. TOPPAN applies the expertise it has gained from printing in diverse industry sectors that include securities & cards, commercial printing, publications printing, packaging materials, industrial materials, electronics, business forms and multimedia. For more information, please visit TOPPAN's website at www.toppan.co.jp/english/.
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.