Since 2012, the ePaper industry has steadily expanded beyond traditional reading devices and retail price tags, entering a wide range of B2B (toB) application markets. Thanks to its ultra-low power consumption, wire-free deployment, and paper-like readability, ePaper has become a natural fit for many IoT-driven industries where information needs to be displayed clearly, reliably, and sustainably. Among these sectors, smart healthcare stands out as one of the most important and fastest-growing application areas.
Driven by strong IoT infrastructure and rapid digital transformation, mainland China has become a global pioneer in ePaper-based innovation. Many of today’s practical, large-scale ePaper solutions—especially in hospitals and public service environments—were first developed and deployed in China before expanding to international markets.
Why ePaper Is Ideal for B2B and IoT Applications
Unlike traditional LCD displays, ePaper displays consume power only when content changes. Once the image is refreshed, the display remains visible without electricity. This unique characteristic makes ePaper especially suitable for information boards, status labels, and signage that require long-term, stable display with minimal maintenance.
Key advantages that drive ePaper adoption in B2B markets include:
- Wire-free installation, reducing construction and renovation costs
- Battery-powered operation with multi-year lifespan
- No backlight, reducing light pollution and visual fatigue
- High readability under various lighting conditions
- Centralized cloud management, enabling real-time updates
These features align perfectly with the needs of smart hospitals, smart campuses, smart factories, and public infrastructure.
Smart Healthcare: A Core Growth Engine for ePaper
Among all B2B sectors, smart healthcare has emerged as a high-demand, high-value market for ePaper applications. Hospitals require accurate, real-time information display while maintaining a quiet, safe, and patient-friendly environment—conditions that ePaper naturally fulfills.
Common ePaper Applications in Hospitals
ePaper is now widely used for:
Truly wire-free deployment in patient areas
No power wiring to each bedside/doorplate reduces renovation work (especially in older wards). Installs fast with minimal disruption—important because wards can’t “pause operations” for construction.
ePaper consumes power mainly during content refresh, not while holding the image. This supports long battery replacement cycles, reducing biomed/IT workload. Battery operation also improves resilience during outages (the last screen content stays visible).
Patient-friendly display: non-emissive and no light pollution
ePaper is reflective, like paper—no backlight shining into rooms at night. Better for sleep, rest, and recovery in wards, especially at night rounds. Helps reduce complaints about “bright screens” near beds.
High readability in real clinical lighting
Clear under strong ward lighting and near windows; minimal glare compared to some glossy screens. Readable at a distance for staff moving through corridors. Stable visibility supports quick checks during busy shifts.
Among these, wireless ePaper bedside displays are considered a rigid demand product in modern smart wards.
How ePaper Smart Healthcare Systems Work
The ePaper healthcare information system follows the same IoT architecture as electronic shelf label (ESL) systems in retail. It consists of three core components:
ePaper display terminals (bedside cards, doorplates, etc.)
Gateways / base stations for wireless communication
Cloud management platform, integrated with hospital systems
In healthcare scenarios, the cloud platform is typically connected to the hospital’s HIS (Hospital Information System). Patient data such as name, treatment plan, nursing level, medication reminders, and precautions can be updated in real time on ePaper displays.
Because the system is completely wire-free, installation does not interfere with daily medical operations or require room renovations—an essential requirement in busy hospital environments.
Benefits of ePaper in Smart Hospitals
The adoption of ePaper brings measurable benefits to hospitals, patients, and medical staff:
- Improved patient safety: Real-time updates reduce human error and miscommunication
- Reduced disputes: Clear display of medical instructions helps avoid misunderstandings
- No light pollution: Non-emissive displays support patient rest and recovery
- Low maintenance: Battery-powered operation minimizes operational burden
- Green and sustainable: Supports low-carbon hospital initiatives
From both a clinical and administrative perspective, ePaper contributes directly to the modernization of hospital management.
Market Size and Adoption Trends
According to data derived from the 2023 China Health Statistics Bulletin published by the National Health Commission, the market capacity for ePaper bedside displays in China exceeds 8 million units, with over 3 million units coming from tertiary (Grade III) hospitals alone.
Pilot projects for ePaper smart ward systems began around 2017, initially deployed in selected departments. By 2021, adoption expanded rapidly, with many hospitals scaling from single-department trials to full-hospital deployment.
The widespread use of ePaper bedside displays in top-tier hospitals signals strong validation of this technology by the medical industry and confirms its long-term growth potential.
Beyond Healthcare: Expanding B2B ePaper Applications
While smart healthcare is a flagship application, ePaper is also gaining traction in other B2B and IoT-driven fields, including:
- Smart logistics and warehousing
- Industrial production tracking
- Energy and environmental monitoring
- Smart campuses and government facilities
Most of these applications share similar requirements: low power, reliable visibility, centralized control, and minimal infrastructure dependency—making ePaper a preferred display technology.
SEEKINK: Driving ePaper Innovation in Smart Healthcare
SEEKINK is a leading innovator in the global ePaper industry, offering advanced solutions for smart healthcare, smart retail, and other B2B applications. One of its representative products, the T042 Patient Information Display, is specifically designed for hospital environments, providing clear, real-time patient information through a wireless, low-power ePaper display.
