Powered by Purpose: E Ink’s ePaper Technology Takes Aim at the World’s Toughest Problems

When E Ink spun out of MIT’s Media Lab in 1997, it re imagined the very nature of a display—transforming static surfaces into dynamic, ultra low power information hubs. Nearly three decades later, we’ve come full circle— working with MIT Solve and sponsoring the E Ink Innovation Prize. The prize is open to changemakers worldwide who currently apply or propose to utilize ePaper technology to society’s most urgent problems.

"This collaboration with MIT Solve underscores our commitment to leveraging ePaper technology to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges."
—Johnson Lee, Chairman of E Ink

ePaper: A Catalyst for Sustainable Innovation

E Ink’s reflective, bistable displays draw power only when the image changes, making them up to 99 % more energy efficient than LCD or LED screens. Once an image is set, it remains visible—even in bright sunlight—without additional electricity. That efficiency unlocks a host of sustainable applications:

• Climate smart cities: Solar powered ePaper bus stops and wayfinding signs run net zero, providing real time information without adding to the grid.

• Paperless education & logistics: Innovative ePaper tablets, eNotes, and smart labels eliminate single use paper, reducing deforestation and waste.

• Human-centric lighting: As the first display technology to earn International Dark Sky certification, ePaper eliminates light pollution, preserving night sky ecosystems and public health.

Because ePaper thrives where power and bandwidth are scarce, it extends digital equity to environments where traditional displays can’t go, like rural classrooms, off-grid clinics, and disaster response zones.

A Global Community for Global Change

MIT Solve identifies and supports tech-based solutions that drive inclusive, sustainable progress. By combining Solve’s global network of innovators with E Ink’s domain expertise, the E Ink Innovation Prize hopes to accelerate prototypes into large-scale pilots—spanning areas like climate, health, and equitable learning. We aim to prove that mission-critical information and sustainable innovation can be delivered wherever it’s needed, without compromising the planet.

Driving Change Beyond Displays

E Ink’s commitment to sustainability reaches far beyond individual products. According to FTSE Russell’s Green Revenues Classification Model, 99.9 percent of our product revenue is classified as “green,” meaning it is generated by products and services that deliver measurable environmental benefits—lower energy consumption, reduced raw‑material use, or direct emissions avoidance. We have already achieved RE65, sourcing 65 percent of the electricity used across our global operations from renewables ahead of our original 2025 goal, and we are firmly on track for RE100—100 percent renewable electricity—by 2030 as part of the global RE100 initiative. This climate strategy has earned E Ink a place in the top five percent of companies in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, underscoring our leadership in responsible manufacturing and transparent ESG reporting.

These milestones underscore a simple truth: when you make surfaces smarter and greener, you enable every industry—from retail to transportation—to lower its own environmental impact.

Scaling Solutions, Sustaining the Future

E Ink pioneered ePaper to rethink how the world consumes information. Today, that same technology powers climate resilient signage, paperless supply chains, and equitable learning tools—all while consuming a fraction of the energy of traditional displays. Our partnership with MIT Solve deepens this mission, channeling resources and expertise toward innovators who share our vision of a cleaner, more connected planet.

We remain unwavering in our pledge to deliver cutting-edge, low-power displays—and to drive sustainable change for the future.

E Ink and MIT Solve are proud to champion the next generation of social innovators. Stay tuned for the E Ink Prize recipients following Solve Challenge Finals.