LG Display’s mass produced plastic e-paper could boost the global e-book market.

On Thursday, LG Display said it began mass production of a plastic e-paper that is half the weight and one-third the thickness of existing glass-based displays.

This makes it possible for more portable e-books, as it can be bent up to 40 degrees. The displays also do not break easily, and can be safely dropped from 1.5 meters, according to LG Display officials.

Maintaining a thickness of 0.7 millimeters and a weight of 14 grams, the company was the first in the world to commercially produce 6-inch plastic e-paper.

With plans to launch it in the European market by early next month, the plastic displays are energy-efficient and can withstand high temperatures.

“The plastic e-paper displays are thin, light and unbreakable and they are less exhausting for the eyes and low energy consuming than smart pads and tablet PCs,” said an LG Display official.

“Breaking away from the existing perception, we believe e-books with new improvements and concepts will be showcased in the markets worldwide soon.”

LG Display highlighted that 10 percent of e-book owners have said they have damaged their electronic devices while carrying them. Portability and weight were also considered to be the most important factors for consumers, its officials said.

LG owns the patents for the new flexible plastic displays, developed after two years of research, which are different from those used in glass displays, said LG Display officials, pointing out that plastic was usually weak against heat.

The successful production of the plastic e-paper is expected to speed up the development process of plastic organic light-emitting diode displays, company officials said.

Earlier in January, LG Display chief Han Sang-beom said it will inject more investment into mobile OLED displays.

He said that the firm has already produced a plastic OLED prototype for handsets which is deemed to be thinner, lighter and less breakable.

Stating that LG Display already has partners that want to buy the plastic displays, he further elaborated that the development of the product was the future direction of the company.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)