As global supply chains continue to evolve, smart logistics has become a critical foundation for efficiency, cost control, and sustainability. One of the most promising technologies enabling this transformation is electronic paper (ePaper). By combining ePaper with various wireless radio-frequency technologies, the logistics industry is moving beyond disposable paper labels toward digital, reusable, and circular labeling systems that better support modern logistics operations.
Why Logistics Needs a New Generation of Labels
Logistics is fundamentally an information-driven industry. From shipping details and routing data to inventory status and return management, labels play a central role in tracking and coordination. However, traditional paper labels are single-use, labor-intensive, and poorly suited for today’s high-volume, high-frequency logistics environments.
ePaper offers a compelling alternative. Drawing on proven tag and label applications from new retail, civil aviation, and transportation, ePaper enables both active and passive digital waybills and labels. These solutions are designed specifically for reusable packaging systems, helping logistics operators replace paper with digital displays that can be updated repeatedly throughout the lifecycle of a package.
Multiple ePaper Label Types for Different Logistics Needs
By integrating ePaper with different wireless communication technologies and sensors, logistics ePaper labels can be categorized into low-, mid-, and high-tier solutions based on cost and functionality. Common examples include:
- NFC passive ePaper labels – powered by near-field communication, ideal for low-cost, short-range updates
- Bluetooth ePaper labels – supporting medium-range wireless updates for warehouse and distribution center use
- 4G smart ePaper labels – offering wide-area connectivity for long-distance transportation and high-value goods
This tiered approach allows logistics providers to select the most suitable ePaper solution based on operational requirements, asset value, and budget constraints.
Supporting Smart Circular Packaging
One of the most important application areas for ePaper in logistics is smart circular packaging. By embedding ePaper labels into reusable packaging, logistics companies can eliminate repeated printing while maintaining full visibility of shipment information.
This approach is especially relevant for industries with high volumes of returns and after-sales logistics. Traditional packaging often cannot be reused once a product is returned, largely because paper labels are damaged or outdated. With ePaper labels, packaging can be reset digitally and re-enter circulation, significantly extending its usable life.
The Home Appliance Example: A Massive Opportunity
Large home appliances provide a clear illustration of the scale and urgency of this transformation. According to data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, domestic annual production of televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines remained relatively stable between 2018 and 2024, totaling approximately 600–700 million units per year.
The one-time packaging cost for these appliances exceeds RMB 40 billion annually, and this figure continues to rise. When products are returned for service or replacement, packaging reuse becomes difficult due to missing boxes or damaged paper labels. Integrating ePaper labels into reusable packaging systems offers a practical solution to this long-standing challenge.
National Standards Accelerate ePaper Adoption
Policy and standardization play a crucial role in accelerating technology adoption. In April 2021, electronic waybills using ePaper displays were officially included in China’s national standard for “Express Circular Packaging Boxes.” This milestone marked ePaper’s formal recognition as a digital, reusable alternative to traditional paper labels within the national logistics framework.
More recently, in January 2025, a new industry-level standard initiative further reinforced this direction. Led by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing and supported by multiple industry organizations and enterprises, the “Management Requirements for Circular Shared Packaging of Large Intelligent Display Equipment” standard was officially included in the 2025 Q1 group standard project plan.
Toward Standardized Circular Packaging Systems
This upcoming standard focuses on packaging requirements, process workflows, management rules, and platform specifications for the circular use of large intelligent display equipment packaging. It applies specifically to operational management of reusable packaging systems for large display products, with a planned completion date before January 2027.
Such standards provide a structured framework for large-scale deployment of circular logistics systems and create favorable conditions for technologies like ePaper to be integrated at scale. As digital labels become standardized components of packaging design, logistics operations can achieve higher levels of automation, traceability, and sustainability.
Why ePaper Is Well-Suited for Logistics Environments
ePaper’s technical characteristics align closely with logistics requirements:
- Ultra-low power consumption, enabling long-term operation without frequent battery replacement
- Clear readability under strong lighting and outdoor conditions
- Wireless updates, reducing manual handling and errors
- Durability and reusability, supporting repeated logistics cycles
These advantages allow ePaper labels to function reliably across warehouses, distribution centers, transportation routes, and return channels.
Building Smarter, Greener Logistics Networks
As logistics systems become more complex and interconnected, the need for flexible, digital, and sustainable labeling solutions will continue to grow. ePaper enables logistics providers to move away from linear, disposable processes and toward closed-loop, data-driven logistics networks.
By digitizing labels and integrating them with sensors, wireless communication, and logistics platforms, companies can gain real-time visibility, reduce waste, and optimize operations across the entire supply chain.
About SEEKINK and Its ePaper Solutions for Logistics
SEEKINK is a technology-driven company specializing in electronic paper (ePaper) solutions for smart logistics, industry, and commercial applications. With expertise in ePaper materials, system integration, and industrial deployment, we provide reliable, energy-efficient displays tailored to the needs of modern logistics operations.
Through our e-ink display solutions for retail and industrial, we support reusable packaging systems, digital waybills, and other smart logistics applications. By combining ultra-low power consumption, wireless connectivity, and high readability, our solutions help logistics enterprises achieve digital transformation, enhance traceability, and build more sustainable, circular supply chains.
