E Ink, the e-paper specialists behind the displays used in Amazon’s Kindle ebook reader, Sony’s Reader, the keyboard of the  Samsung Alias 2 cellphone  and various other devices, has been acquired by Prime View International (PVI).  The deal, which valued E Ink at $215m, sees the e-paper IP and technology specialists now combined with the manufacturers of the panels themselves. The combined company will continue to supply electrophoretic display technology, which accounts for more than 90-percent of e-paper displays; E Ink is the primary supplier of such technology.  Meanwhile, PVI expects to release touchscreens and flexible e-paper, the latter said to reach the market later this year. PVI has already acquired

Philips Electronics’ e-paper business, back in 2005, and last year bought a controlling stake in the company responsible for producing the transistor backplanes used in e-paper technology.  Presuming no regulatory or shareholder complications, the E Ink deal will be finalized at some point in Q4 2009. [ via E-Ink-Info] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Color e-paper launch delayed to 2010; large-screen Sony ereader in 2009? Amazon’s Kindle arrives on Wednesday Flexible e-paper mass production imminent; color version soon after? Kindle 2 to debut with exclusive Stephen King story? Amazon Kindle getting slick refresh in October; larger version 2009

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Kindle e-paper makers PVI buy E Ink for $215m