LG today announced that it has begun mass production of the world's first flexible e-ink display. The 6-inch panel that promises to "revolutionize the e-book market" sports a resolution of 1024 x 768 and can be bent up to 40-degrees without breaking. In addition, because it uses a flexible plastic substrate rather than glass, it's less than half the weight (14g) and one-third thinner (.7mm) than a traditional e-ink panel with similar specs.

The technology, known as electronic paper display (EPD), will enable e-reader manufacturers to produce thinner devices and perhaps featuring different form factors from what's available today, all of this without sacrificing durability. The South Korean company says its plastic display survives repeated 1.5-meter drop tests as well as break and scratch tests with a small urethane hammer.

There's no word on pricing yet, but LG Display has talked up EPDs as being cheaper alternatives to current e-reader displays. The first products using LG's flexible panel are reportedly on track for a release in China and the European market as early as April. It's unclear what vendors will be offering them.