Samsung and NONO SHOP Collaborate for Eco-Friendly E-Paper Innovation

In today’s rapidly evolving consumer landscape, individuals are reshaping the definition of a well-lived life, moving beyond mere consumption toward making environmentally conscious choices throughout their purchasing journey. Sustainability has transcended its status as a fleeting trend to become an intrinsic part of modern living. Consequently, businesses are not only striving to communicate their eco-friendly messages effectively but are also embracing and reflecting these values in their operations.

In line with this shift, Samsung Electronics introduced the Color E-Paper (EMDX model) earlier this year, a groundbreaking signage solution designed to significantly reduce power consumption in digital content advertising. One noteworthy adopter of this technology is NONO SHOP, a zero-waste store and café located in Seoul’s Itaewon neighborhood. By integrating Color E-Paper displays into its operations, NONO SHOP has taken a commendable step toward achieving more sustainable business practices.

To gain insights into this transformation, Samsung Newsroom visited NONO SHOP to explore how the integration of Color E-Paper has enhanced the store’s eco-conscious ethos.

Less Waste, More Flexibility

NONO SHOP is a unique establishment that combines a zero-waste store and a vegan café offering plant-based beverages, desserts, and groceries. It also features a refill station aimed at reducing single-use packaging. The shop actively promotes sustainability through customer engagement programs, including recycling campaigns and Climate Fresk workshops designed to educate participants about climate change.

However, even with its steadfast commitment to minimizing waste, operating a store inevitably generates some level of trash. Printed promotional materials, such as seasonal menus, event posters, and schedule announcements, must be frequently updated, resulting in substantial paper waste each month.

By adopting Samsung’s Color E-Paper, NONO SHOP has significantly curtailed waste associated with printed promotional materials. The displays enable easy updates of images and text through a dedicated mobile app, eliminating the need for frequent printing and mounting of posters. With this technology, real-time content updates are possible, delivering more impactful visuals.

Julian Quintart, a Belgian entertainer and founder of NONO SHOP, remarked, “Samsung Color E-Paper doesn’t resemble a digital screen. It appears so much like real printed material that, unless you inspect it closely, you’d think it was just an ordinary paper poster.”

Juwon Shim, a manager at NONO SHOP, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The ability to instantly update images through the mobile app streamlines our daily operations. It aids in conserving not only the resources and energy needed for printing but also time.”

Sustainably Crafted From Packaging to Product

Color E-Paper is particularly effective at reducing the energy typically required to operate and maintain commercial spaces. By applying ink technology to digital paper and utilizing ambient light to render images, the displays eliminate the need for a backlight unit—the component in traditional screens that consumes energy to emit light. Consequently, power consumption drops to 0.00 watts when content remains static. Even during updates, Color E-Paper uses significantly less energy compared to conventional digital signage.

“When introducing new devices into the store, it’s crucial to consider not just their power consumption but also their overall environmental impact,” noted Quintart. “Color E-Paper is especially appealing because its energy use is substantially lower than that of traditional digital displays.”

The product’s design and packaging further reflect a strong commitment to sustainability. Color E-Paper features 100% paper-based packaging and incorporates recycled plastic in more than half of its cover. “Even the packaging was thoughtfully designed,” emphasized Quintart. “All these small efforts represent a meaningful step toward resource circulation.”

The reactions to the Color E-Paper signage have been overwhelmingly positive. Zoe McTackett, a regular customer at NONO SHOP, expressed her surprise, saying, “I was genuinely impressed to learn that recycled plastic was used in Color E-Paper. Knowing that Samsung values not just technology, but also the environment, strengthens my trust in the brand.”

Built To Fit Anywhere

Color E-Paper seamlessly integrates into any space, preserving the aesthetic of existing interiors and resembling framed artwork. Equipped with a patent-pending color imaging algorithm, the display optimizes content for enhanced visibility, delivering smooth edge rendering, seamless gradients, and rich color expression akin to printed posters.

“Even though it’s a digital screen, it doesn’t feel overly sharp—it has a natural, paper-like quality,” noted McTackett. She also highlighted how comfortable it is to view, even in bright daylight or well-lit environments, thanks to its non-reflective surface.

“I hope customers perceive the display not just as a digital device but as a framed piece,” added Quintart. “Once they realize it’s actually digital paper, they focus more on the content and engage with the product more organically.”

Weighing a mere 2.5 kilograms with the battery and measuring only 17.9 millimeters thick, Color E-Paper boasts an ultra-lightweight design with exceptional installation flexibility. It can be easily mounted on walls, ceiling rails, or stands without the need for additional structures.

“Depending on the setting, Color E-Paper can be used in various formats—on a stand, wall-mounted, or hanging,” Shim explained. “One of its biggest advantages is that it can transform the store’s atmosphere without necessitating major interior changes.”

“When mounted on a movable stand, Color E-Paper is easy to reposition and can be set up near the entrance or beside the checkout counter,” Shim continued. “Hanging the display with wires is especially space-efficient since it takes up virtually no space.”

Samsung’s Color E-Paper eliminates the trade-offs once associated with sustainable practices. Just as a single small action can spark meaningful change, Samsung remains committed to creating a positive environmental impact—a mission now shared with NONO SHOP through Color E-Paper.

For more information on the Color E-Paper, visit Samsung’s official news page.
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