Samsung has unveiled a new colour e-paper display that uses a bio-resin derived from phytoplankton, marking a notable shift toward renewable materials in display hardware manufacturing.
The newly announced 13-inch Colour E-Paper display combines low-power display technology with alternative materials, highlighting how sustainability increasingly influences component design rather than being limited to packaging or accessories.
Samsung has built the display housing using a mix of 45 percent recycled plastic and 10 percent phytoplankton-based bio-resin, reducing reliance on petroleum-derived plastics typically used in display enclosures.
According to Samsung, this material combination cuts carbon emissions during manufacturing by more than 40 percent compared with housings made entirely from traditional plastics.
The display itself targets business signage applications, where e-paper panels increasingly replace printed posters and conventional digital signage to reduce energy consumption and long-term operating costs.
By pairing colour e-paper with a low-emission housing, Samsung aligns the product with businesses that prioritise sustainability and power efficiency across large display fleets.
Why bio-resin matters in display hardware
Bio-resin is part of a broader category of bioplastics derived from renewable biological sources rather than fossil fuels, offering similar strength and moulding flexibility without the same dependence on finite resources.
Although bioplastics have existed for more than a century, improvements in material performance and large-scale manufacturing have made them increasingly viable for consumer and commercial electronics.
Phytoplankton-based bio-resin allows manufacturers to reduce petroleum use while maintaining durability requirements for display housings that must withstand transport, installation, and long-term indoor operation.
In some cases, bioplastic products that meet specific composition standards can also support compostability or biodegradability, further lowering their environmental footprint at the end of a product’s lifecycle.
Samsung has not announced plans to use the same bio-resin housing in consumer displays, tablets, or televisions, keeping the material confined to this initial signage-focused deployment.
However, the company’s decision to debut the material in a commercial product suggests a testing ground for scaling renewable plastics into broader hardware categories over time.
