E Ink invests in US startup Newcopper to develop copper conductive ink

E Ink has made an undisclosed early-stage investment in Newcopper, a U.S. startup developing copper-based conductive ink for displays and other printed electronics. The investment takes the form of a post-money SAFE, which converts to equity in a future financing round.

Copper is cheaper than the silver used in most conductive inks but oxidizes easily, which has held it back. Newcopper's low-temperature, self-passivating formulation is licensed exclusively from the University of Maryland and builds on research at Maryland and Yale.

E Ink says the ink is compatible with its roll-to-roll coating lines and will test it for display and electrode applications. The two companies also see a route to a more localized supply chain for e-paper components used in electronic shelf labels, retail displays and digital signage.