The supply chain management market is rapidly evolving, valued at 15.85 billion USD in 2020 and 28.60 billion USD in 2023, with projections estimating a rise to 81.93 billion USD by 2033. Despite this growth, the industry faces numerous challenges, including inflation, geopolitical instability, labor shortages and an urgent need for sustainable practices and digital transformation.

Sustainability has been shown to have a strong connection with higher business profitability and to be negatively correlated with volatility (Harvard Business Review). Adopting new technologies can support eco-friendly practices, while streamlining operations, lowering costs and reducing manual labor and errors.

Benefits of using Ynvisible’s e-paper displays in Supply Chain:

• Ultra-low power: Ynvisible’s e-paper displays are highly energy-efficient, requiring minimal power to function, which makes them the ideal solution for power-sensitive applications, since, among other things, they lead to less frequent battery replacements.

• Wide range of applications: Supply Chains encompass entire networks and systems with multiple components. Ynvisible’s e-paper displays can be used to enhance productivity, efficiency and cost savings across these complex networks.  

• Cost optimization: By using high volume industrial printing and converting processes, Ynvisible achieves ultra-low cost mass production, making Ynvisible’s e-paper products economically viable for customers across a wide range of applications.

• Sustainability: Ynvisible’s e-paper technology is the most sustainable display solution on the market. For example, for specific segments and applications, replacing traditional paper-based labels with Ynvisible’s e-paper solutions may reduce waste over time, by enabling real-time updates without requiring physical replacements.

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Here are several of Ynvisible’s e-paper applications for the supply chain:  

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Labeling/Indicators

E-paper displays offer a sustainable alternative to traditional paper labels, which generate waste through constant replacements. Ynvisible’s displays are reusable, durable, energy-efficient, and can potentially lower the carbon footprint of supply chain operations. They’re ideal for labels in manufacturing plants and logistics hubs – such as hazard, quality control, calibration and product status labels – providing clear, user-friendly information on a real-time basis.  

E-paper-based labels are also well-suited for equipment monitoring and maintenance. For example, replacing traditional paper-based maintenance labels with digital e-paper solutions improves accuracy in maintenance schedules and is more convenient and easier to use.  

Enhanced Logistics and Fleet Management

E-paper displays can bring real-time updates to logistics and fleet management, providing visibility into maintenance schedules, delivery status, and operational alerts. When attached to transported goods, e-paper-based smart labels can provide drivers and operators access to critical product information, enabling quick troubleshooting to prevent shipment issues. This capability improves tracking, reduces disruptions, and helps manage costs associated with waste.

E-Paper in Cold Chain Logistics

For temperature-sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals and fresh food, e-paper displays combined with sensors can create powerful monitoring solutions. These displays monitor and report product status in real time, providing instant feedback if a shipment experiences unsuitable conditions. Ynvisible’s ultra-low power e-paper displays are ideal for these environments, especially where power sources are limited.

Ynvisible collaborates with Hive-Zox, a Swiss company specializing in supply-chain digitalization solutions for visibility and real-time monitoring. Hive-Zox integrates Ynvisible’s printed e-paper displays into a compact smart label designed for pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments. Read more about our collaboration.

Warehouse Signage and Communication

Effective signage is critical in warehouses, and e-paper displays offer numerous advantages over traditional signage. These displays can guide traffic, communicate essential safety protocols, and provide order information, all updated remotely, to ensure consistency across facilities. Enhanced communication improves operational efficiency and workplace safety.

Conclusion

Integrating e-paper displays into supply chain management yields tangible benefits, including sustainability, real-time data access, and operational flexibility. As industries digitize their supply chains, e-paper technology presents an eco-friendly and reliable solution to inventory, logistics, and sustainability challenges. By embracing e-paper displays, companies can build a greener, more efficient future.