E-paper has long been considered the epitomy of sustainable signage – Samsung now adds proof in plastic. With a phytoplankton-based display housing, the new 13-inch Color E-Paper set to launch at ISE 2026 tackles the material question of green signage.
ISE 2026: Samsung Adds Bio-Resin Housing to Color E-Paper
Samsung is continuing its push into green signage with the global launch of a new 13-inch Color E-Paper display (EM13DX), which uses a housing partly made from bio-resin derived from phytoplankton.
While e-paper displays aren’t exactly a novelty anymore, Samsung is the first to translate the sustainability aspiration of the techology into the display’s frame. According to UL verification, the housing consists of 45% recycled plastic and 10% phytoplankton-based bio-resin. Samsung says this percentage is enough to reduce carbon emissions in the manufacturing process by more than 40% compared to conventional petroleum-based plastics.
Packaging follows the same logic: all components, including cushioning and accessory boxes, are made from paper. While bio-based housings are still rare in ProAV, Samsung’s move shows that sustainability criteria go beyond power consumption alone – as did Sony’s invention of the Sorplas material a few years ago.
Designed to replace A4 print materials
At 13 inches, the new Color E-Paper targets classic print use cases such as shelf labels, posters, counter displays or door signage. With a 4:3 aspect ratio and 1,600 × 1,200 resolution, the format closely mirrors A4 paper – a deliberate move on Samsung’s side to facilitate the transition from print to digital.
An integrated rechargeable battery, USB-C charging and cable-free operation allow the display to be deployed flexibly in locations without permanent power connections. At 17.9 mm thick and weighing 0.9 kg, it’s designed for frequent repositioning – another nod to replacing printed materials.
Remotely managed and updated
Like Samsung’s other e-paper display, the new model is fully integrated into Samsung’s signage ecosystem. Content can be updated locally via the Samsung E-Paper App on IOS and Android, while larger deployments can be managed remotely through Samsung VXT, the company’s cloud-based CMS and device management platform.
For e-paper, VXT includes dedicated tools such as color preview functions to ensure accurate reproduction before deployment. According to Samsung, this is an important factor given the different visual behavior of digital ink compared to LCD or LED.
Samsung plans to unveil a new 20-inch Color E-Paper model at ISE 2026 in Barcelona, further expanding the lineup alongside the existing 32-inch version. With multiple sizes now available, Samsung wants to move Color E-Paper out of its niche and market it as a scalable alternative to printed signage.
