Recycling Times Magazine-English Edition-Issue 27

Recycling Times Magazine

editorial

RecyclingTimes The magazine by the industry, for the industry.

www.iRecyclingTimes.com

RecyclingTimes

Publisher & Managing Director Tony Lee +86 (0)756 3919260 Directors David Gibbons +86 (0)756 3919261 Sabrina Lo +86 (0)756 3919266 Editorial Senior Consulting Editor Art Diamond Editor Doris Huang +86 (0)756 3919268 Doris.Huang@iRecyclingTimes.com Editorial Team Jane Yu Jane.Yu@iRecyclingTimes.com Tina Chou +86 (0)756 3959286 Tina.Chou@iRecyclingTimes.com Wendy Lee Wendy.Lee@iRecyclingTimes.com Designer Miracle Wei Miracle.Wei@iRecyclingTimes.com Kevin Deng Kevin.Deng@iRecyclingTimes.com Sales Sales Manager Anna Liang +86 (0)756 3919266 Account Manager Kevin Zhu +86 (0)756 3919265 Sales Executives Sally He +86 (0)756 3919263 Tobee Deng +86 (0)756 3919282 Sam Lee +86 (0)756 3959299 Operation and Marketing Operation Manager Charles Lee +86 (0)756 3919267 Frank Yang +86 (0)756 3959280 Operations Assistant Sunny Zhang +86 (0)756 3959282 Sam Lee +86 (0)756 3959299 Accounting Betty Lee +86 (0)756 3919269 Joy He +86 (0)756 3919262 Marketing Supervisor Jessica Yin magazine@therecycler.com.cn +86 (0) 756 3919264 Tracy Zhang +86 (0)756 3959283 Howard Qiu +86 (0)756 3959281 Published by Recycling Times Media Corporation Address 5F, Pacific Insurance Building, Jiuzhou Ave, Zhuhai, 519000 Tel: +86 (0)756 3220716 Fax: +86 (0)756 3220717 Email: info@iRecycingTimes.com Website: www.iRecycingTimes.com

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L

ast month, I talked about the almost suicidal behavior of the industry. The point is, there are actually plenty of opportunities in the market, as long as we are prepared to broaden our horizons.

Firstly, there is an opportunity for traditional printer manufacturers who are no longer satisfied with their traditional markets where players scrambled for market share exercising severe competition. Now they are competing with commercial printers. During the Drupa Print Media Fair in Düsseldorf, HP took the lead, and together with Xerox, Konica Minolta, Ricoh and other printer manufacturers, has revolutionized digital printing. Among these brands, I suggest you pay close attention to HP Indigo and Latex printers which could become the new benchmarks which could change the overall market structure. We should also watch closely the new challenges brought to the consumables industry by HP’s sales model featuring comprehensive print solutions for the end user.

Secondly, there is an opportunity brought on by newly emerging printer manufacturers. Enormous market potential is being driven more and more by enterprises joining this used-to-be niche market. Everyone has now heard of the new Pantum printer from Zhuhai. Now Aetas Technology (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd, has launched a series of LED printers. They own the proprietary intellectual property rights and have the capability to develop, design and produce color LED printer technologies. Aetas has become quite the star in the eyes of many printer manufacturers. In addition, Sindoh, a 52-year-old Korean company recently announced its expansion into three major overseas markets—America, Europe and China—by selling its branded monochrome and color laser printers.

Sindoh has long been a low profile company, but it has an amazing history in the past half century. In 1969, it produced copiers for Ricoh. In 1991, it established a partnership with Lexmark. Three years later, it became the third company to set up an OPC drum plant for the world-wide market. Then in 1997, Sindoh’s SIGMA 77000, Korea’s first self developed digital copier, started production. Another milestone for the company was its cooperation with Kodak in 2007. Sindoh may not become another Korean Samsung, but we cannot ignore it either.

A third opportunity has been delivered by Memjet. After settling a legal claim with Silverbrook, Memjet has signed up with many world leading printer manufacturers including Oce, Fuji Xerox and Toshiba. The revolutionary color printing technology coukd be a big hit in the near future.

We should not ignore opportunities in periphery markets—such as the graphic market and special printing market—which are not a competitive battlefield—yet.

Granted, it takes some effort to grab opportunities like these. But I believe you can do it.

Tony Lee Publisher & Managing Director

All rights reserved. © 2011 by Recycling Times Media Corporation. The contents are not be to copied or republished without official written consent. The editorial content does not represent official positions of Recycling Times Media Corporation.

Recycling Times Magazine

contents

Tracking new markets: biotoners, edible Inks & other products

www.recyclingtimes.com.cn

As the economic recovery stumbles forward in the United States and abroad, OEMs and aftermarket Players in the imaging industry are searching for new product opportunities. What appears to lie beyond the blue horizon are such offerings as monochrome and color biotoners, biocartridges, edible ink jet inks for food decoration, LED color printers and other creative innovations.

Just a Minute with David Gibbons

04

It’s worth the investment

An overview of Japanese OEMs financial reports Despite continued weakness in European markets, the global economy is recovering. But With the Japanese yen (¥) continuing its appreciation against the euro (€) and the US dollar ($), many Japanese OEMs have suffered a loss. Let’s take a look at several Japanese OEMs’ financial performance.

Money From Home

06

Is it game over for business cards?

Industry Updates

Print-Rite’s gigantic toner plant goes on-stream

Print-Rite dedicates distribution center in Tennessee

08 DCI/Jet Tec granted Nordic Swan Accreditation

If you checked out the spanking new facility, you would definitely be overwhelmed by the mighty, thundering machines, a team of giants with 4 stories high. Toner production seems an effortless task to this behemoth. Let’s take a closer look at ICMI robotic production line.

MSE Integrates with Digital Gateway’s e-automate

09 software

Official Announcement: Unauthorized claim by unauthorized company as distributorof Print-Rite products Diamond Dispersions wins Queen’s award for enterprise in international trade

10 Aetas launches a red & black LED printer Product Release MSE unveils 18,000-page jumbo cartridge

12 Goat Labs Offers color toner for Brother & Kyocera printers

Features Tracking new markets: biotoners, edible Inks & other

19 products An overview of Japanese OEMs financial reports 23

ILG releases color cartridges for HP printers MMC releases replacement ink cartridges, chips for Epson

14 printers

OCP released a new ink set for Canon PG-540 / CL-541 cartridges

Profiles Future Graphics offers matched toners, OPC drums and

30 more 34 Print-Rite’s gigantic toner plant goes on-stream

OEM News HP launches mobile & SMB printers

15 Kyocera rolls out world’s fastest 1200×1200 dpi inkjet

Tech Zone

printhead

Ricoh India unveils Genuine Refill Program

Remanufacturing the HP LaserJet Enterprise 600/MFP 4555

38 toner cartridges

Ricoh unveils two A4 laser printers

16 Memjet adds new partners

Xerox to provide MPS for Boeing

Market Data

17 The UPS Store joins HP’s ePrint PPL OKI offers new MPS solutions

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Printers recently released by major OEMs

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Recycling Times Magazine

Just a Minute with David Gibbons

It’s worth the investment I did something last month I have always wanted to do … for more than 20 years. I spent a week visiting cartridge component parts companies.

I should have made this investment years ago when I was a cartridge remanufacturer because it would have improved my business.

I always took for granted the quality of the components I purchased from the likes of Static Control and Future Graphics. But it was not until I visited their operations in Sanford and Los Angeles respectively that I saw the impact the multi-million dollar investment is having on making sure the products you get to rebuild your cartridges have been tested, tested and tested again.

It’s no accident that Thomas Spicker’s photo is on our front cover. He admitted he would always like to be the first vendor to supply the new components needed to rebuild the new

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cartridges being developed by the OEMs. But he went on to say it was MORE IMPORTANT to get it right! I saw their operation with my own eyes.

And I was impressed.

I was also blown away by the enormity of the venture and infrastructure run by Static Control in North Carolina. The quality control procedures, leaving no room for chance or error, were impressive. Meeting Ed Swartz, an industry icon, helped me realize there is a steely resolve to protect and grow this industry, but to do it right! You will see a photo of Ed on an upcoming edition of this magazine, and will be able to watch my interview with him online too.

It’s worth the investment if you have not already done it. Go and see for yourself the amazing commitment being made to deliver the very best components. You will view your business differently afterwards.

I am sure of it.

David Gibbons is a director of Recycling Times. He has been a school principal, businessman, marketer, communicator, TV presenter/host and a remanufacturer. For many years he was the executive officer of the Australasian Cartridge Remanufacturers' Association (ACRA).

Recycling Times Magazine

Money From Home

Is it game over for business cards?

Will the World Wide Web make business cards obsolete? “Yes!” is the opinion of some printing industry analysts. They argue that today’s young and Internet savvy workers regard these 2x3.5inch cards as superfluous in view of email and web-based social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

That seems to be the conclusion of Matt Stevens, in his March 16 article in the Los Angeles Times (pp. A1-A2). In my view, however, business cards provide more than contact information for an individual you meet at a trade show, a seminar, or a networking event.

They may include your portrait and display your company logo. They often define the nature of your business, and they provide a record of your website and email address.

Business cards also fulfill a cultural formality in the ritual of business interaction. This is especially true in Asia, where presenting your card with two hands adds a solemnity to the

protocol of meeting and greeting a new associate and welcoming her or him into your sphere of activity.

According to Australia’s IBISWorld Inc., a market research and forecasting firm with offices in Santa Monica, California, business card printers reported $211.1 million in revenues in 2011, down 13% from 2006. But, if you factor in the economic downtur n over the same period, the trendline takes on a more gentle slope.

Generation Y people—those in their 20s and 30s who grew up with the Internet— are turning to digital options, such as, smart phones, Facebook and LinkedIn, rather than spend their valuable time organizing a business card file. But electronic media will not replace printed business cards, according to Spokeswoman Ms. Wendy Cebula of Vistaprint, “ We see them as complements as opposed to substitutes.”

A Netherlands company, Vistaprint allows customers to create personalized business cards using either online templates or their own designs. The company

is offering 250 premium, glossy cards for $10, including free shipping.

I tend to agree with Ms. Cebula. The use of business cards might be declining slowly, but they will likely be around for many years to come. They remain a vital resource, frequently consulted when accessing your unique nexus of business associates, suppliers, customers, contractors and attorneys, etc.

Will they disappear completely? If so, is there a replacement?

The answers are “No” and “No.” Business cards are unique. They fulfill a need and do their job well. Handing over that small rectangle of cardstock to a new associate is like handing over your identity. It is your “calling card.” And, with all of the electronic memory devices, however small, however compact, I defy you to name one that you would give away by the dozens to strangers at a trade show.

Arthur S. Diamond Art Diamond is a 56-year veteran of the imaging industry. He is President of Diamond Research Corporation, a high technology research and consulting firm he formed in 1968 after research assignments with Eastman Kodak, Times Facsimile, Addressograph-Multigraph and Telautograph Corporation.

DRC serves clients through product formulation and development, private studies, strategic market planning, and expert witness testimony. Diamond is known internationally as an expert on dry toners and imaging media with 15 issued U.S. patents.

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Recycling Times Magazine

Industry Updates

Print-Rite dedicates distribution center in Tennessee

P

rint-Rite has established a distribution center in La Vergne, Tennessee, thereby bringing its operations to North America. The decision was made to establish a direct distribution focus through several strategic locations and dedicated, tenured staff to support the North American effort.

La Vergne, called the fastest growing city in the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Census Bureau, is a neighbor to the State Capital.

Nashville is also known as the Country Music Capital of the World.

After 30 years of growth and development, Print-Rite has amassed a comprehensive suite of some 4,000 products including toner and ink jet ink cartridges, continuous ink supply systems, ribbons, parts and accessories. The company now holds 1,700 imaging patents and has an

extensive program of research, development and innovation.

“Over the past 5 years, dealers have seen a proliferation of printer SKUs and vendors in the marketplace” stated Ian Elliott, President of Print-Rite N.A., Inc. “Traditional supply vendors are not able to keep up with this demand by offering only remanufactured products. By partnering with Print-Rite, dealers can look forward to improved margins by leveraging the widest selection of compatible and remanufactured products in the industry.”

Print-Rite N.A. will provide customers with new technology, higher yields, next day delivery and other important benefits.

“While there is certainly no shortage of imaging supply vendors today, we believe that dealers are always interested in a vendor that can provide additional value to the category”, Mr.

Elliott stated. “We have no plans to implement a ‘me too’ MPS program. Instead Print-Rite will focus our efforts on reducing the cost per page through innovative new products and bundling programs and providing support currently unavailable to the leading MPS providers.”

DCI/Jet Tec granted Nordic Swan Accreditation

I

nk and toner remanufacturer DCI/ Jet Tec (Lincolnshire, UK) declares its reman toners have been awarded the Nordic Swan certification, claiming its remanufactured toners for HP 2612A, HP CB540 and HP 6000A series printers won this credential.

The Nordic Swan certificate is an ecolabelling scheme that evaluates a laser product’s impact on the environment

throughout the whole of its lifecycle. It is awarded to products which meet high environmental requirements. The product is analyzed from the beginning to the end of its lifecycle and is also tested to ensure it meets quality, functionality and health standards.

Receiving this certification means the Jet Tec remanufactured laser toners meet rigid environmental standards, DCI/Jet Tec says.

Phil Sneath, Commercial Manager at DCI commented that the Nordic Swan was an important accreditation for DCI as it reflects our commitment to the environment and our eco-friendly manufacturing processes. We are an extremely environmentally conscious company and this has resulted in us being awarded a number of awards and certifications.

About DCI/Jet Tec DCI (Dynamic Cassette International) was formed in 1983 originally as a producer of typewriter cassettes. In 1996, DCI launched the Jet Tec brand of inkjet products with a high

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profile image based upon the company’s own high quality inkjet offerings. Today, Jet Tec has grown into one of Europe’s largest suppliers of compatible and remanufactured inkjet and toner cartridges.

Contact information: Tel: +44 (0)1205 360 033 Fax: +44 (0)1205 358 600 Email: sales@jettec.com Website: http://www.jettec.com

Recycling Times Magazine

Industry Updates

MSE Integrates with Digital Gateway’s e-automate software

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artridge remanufacturer MSE ( Van Nuys, CA) has completed its integration with Digital Gateway’s e-automate software. e-automate is an integration program that office equipment dealers use to manage their business. It features tailored solutions for sales, services, purchasing, inventory, contracts, accounting and more.

MSE says this software will allow it to seamlessly connect with dealers and improve the efficiency with which transactions are processed.

Says Gil Wazana, MSE’s Vice President of Sales,

“e-automate’s PO Processor is a tremendous tool for dealers, and we are committed to providing the tools and value-added services our customers need to be successful in today’s marketplace.”

result in the market’s best alternative to highcost OEM print consumables. MSE has sales and distribution in Brazil, California, Canada, Europe (UK and the Netherlands), Israel, and Pennsylvania.

About MSE MSE is the largest US-based remanufacturer and a leading-edge innovator in the marketplace. MSE pioneered the process of Intelligent Re-Engineering which employs patented technologies, proprietary processes, and stringent testing methodologies that

Official Announcement: Unauthorized claim by unauthorized company as distributorof Print-Rite products

W

e , U n i o n Te c h n o l o g y International (Macao Commercial Offshore) Company Limited (“UTEC”), have recently become aware that a company operating under the name Inkpool is claiming to be a global distributor of Print-Rite brand compatible inkjet cartridges. As the authorized global master distributor of Print-Rite brand products, we inform you that we have never appointed, authorized or granted any license to a company named or affiliated with “Inkpool,” to market or distribute Print-Rite brand printer consumables products of any

kind, including but not limited to compatible inkjet cartridges, in any market whatever.

UTEC disclaims, and shall not be liable for, any liabilities, claims, damages or demands of any kind arising from or related to the sale by Inkpool of products purporting to be PrintRite products, or any warranties associated with such products. Nor is Utec responsible for infringement of proprietary or intellectual property rights of any third parties by products sold or distributed by Inkpool.

We welcome any information concerning communications you may have received from Inkpool in which it represents itself to be an

authorized distributor of Print-Rite products, and we reserve our absolute right to take appropriate legal action against any parties who misappropriate or infringe the Print-Rite trademark, or disseminate fraudulent and/or misleading representations associated with the Print-Rite name, mark or brand.

For and on behalf of Union Technology International (M.C.O) Company Limited Iris Ngo, General Manager Union Technology International (M.C.O) Co., Ltd. Phone: +853 28715020 Email: info@utec.com.mo

Diamond Dispersions wins Queen’s award for enterprise in international trade

D

iamond Dispersions, a Sheffield, UK producer of dispersed dyes and pigments, has won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. Established in 2007, Diamond Dispersions manufactures waterbased colorants that enable global customers to formulate perfect inkjet inks.

Peter Callahan, the firm’s Director, declared, “It goes without saying that formal recognition for our efforts with a Queen’s Award for

Enterprise in International Trade is a massive achievement for us. We are all extremely proud to be honored in this way.”

In excess of 85% of everything Diamond Dispersions produces is exported, with China accounting for 28% of total overseas sales. The company reported 40% growth year on year ( YoY ) as a result of continued expansion of the global inkjet market, asserts Callahan.Diamond Dispersions has recruited in-country technical managers to further develop markets.

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Recycling Times Magazine

Industry Updates

Aetas launches a red & black LED printer

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hinese OEM (original equipment manufacturer) Aetas Technology Co., Ltd. (Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province) has developed a red and black printer with full proprietary ownership. Aetas displayed several LED-based printers including the SR2010/N Red & Black and the S2005/N full color printer at OA 2012, the International Conference on Office Automation.

The SR2010/N is a professional printer tailored to government document printing specifications. The application of color LED printing technology with DCJ (direct current jumping) imaging technology and IOI (integrated optical intensity) structuring, produces a better highlight printing effect. This machine, though small and thin, produces 20 pages per minute (ppm) monochrome speed or 10 ppm black/red speed with a 25,000 page monthly duty cycle.

Aetas developed a special red toner,

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completely in compliance with the regulations in State Administrative Organization Document Format GB/T9704-1999. The Aetas SR2010/ N Red & Black printer also solved all the established problems and boasts various advantages, including: • Safe-electronic composition and encryption • Quick-direct delivery • Precise-systematic and consistent • Economical- information not paper delivery • Real-time- printing according to demand • Professional- Red Toner with national standard • Environmentally friendly- general paper • Low per page cost, little interference and fewer paper jams together afford a low total cost of ownership The Aetas S2005/N Color Printer, combines color LED technology with DCJ imaging and IOI structuring, also applies Accurate Color Registration (ACR) technology ( Japanese patent

No. 3,672,035 B2), producing more precise and distinct color.

About Aetas Aetas stationed in Taiwan’s Zhenjiang HighTech Zone at the end of 2010, is dedicated to R&D, design, manufacturing and sales for LED color and multifunction printers. Aetas developed color LED printing technology using DCJ imaging and IOI structuring, under cooperation with experts in EPG, mechanism design, electronic control and color image processing from the USA, Japan and Taiwan.

This team successfully developed the LED color imaging engine. Currently, Aetas Technology is the only non-American, non-Japanese and non-Korean company to enjoy full intellectual property ownership of its own digital printer.

Recycling Times Magazine

Product Release

MSE unveils 18,000-page jumbo cartridge

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artridge remanufacturing giant MSE (Micro Solutions Enterprises) has released extended life, jumbo cartridges that deliver an 18,000 page yield. The MPS-Engineered CE390A offers an 80% increase over the 10,000-page OEM CE390A cartridge, MSE claims. A standard 10,000-page replacement for the CE390A is also available.

Luke Goldberg, MSE’s Senior Vice President says: “This cartridge will be cross-compatible to multiple models, but was really engineered for the new M601 printer, which replaces the P4014.

The benefit is that it offers 18,000 pages in an

application that only allows for 10,000 pages from the OEM CE390A. Clearly, this is a valuable offering for any MPS or cost-per-page provider so soon after the release of a new printer.”

MSE has also released high-yield alternative cartridges for Lexmark which can print 18,000 pages. The new cartridges can be used for Lexmark X654de, X656de, X656dte, X658de, X658dfe, X658dme, X658dte, X658dtfe and X658dtme MFP. According to MSE, each MSE cartridge is tested to the fuser’s life in order to make sure the toner does not cause buildup on the fuser.

MSE claims it deploys multiple proprietary technologies and custom fixtures to upgrade the cartridges and prevent historical issues with leakage.

Goat Labs Offers color toner for Brother & Kyocera printers

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etherlands-based Goat Labs has introduced color toners for Kyocera and Brother laser printers. Color toners for the Brother HL-4150 color laser printer series provide a consistent OEM-like quality output, the company says.

Cartridges, for which the new toner was developed, are: • TN320 which yields 2,500 black and 1,500 color (cyan, magenta and yellow) pages; • TN325 which yields 4,000 black and 3,500 color (cyan, magenta and yellow) pages; • TN328 which yields 6,000 (black, cyan, magenta and yellow) pages.

The Brother HL-4150 color laser printer meets the demands of small-to-medium (SMB) sized businesses with print speeds up to 24 pages per minute (ppm).

Goat Labs claims its new ProColor toners are used for Kyocera FS-C5100, C5200 and C5300 color printers. The new toners match the OEM drum and provid a quality output, the company reports.

Cartridges and printers for which the new ProColor toner was developed are: • TK540 which yields 5,000 black and 4,000 color (cyan, magenta and yellow) pages and was designed for Kyocera FS-C5100

printer series.

• TK-550 cartridges which yield 7,000 black and 6,000 color (cyan, magenta and yellow) pages, were designed for the Kyocera FS-C5200 printer series.

• TK-560 cartridge, which yields 12,000 black and 10,000 color (cyan, magenta and yellow) pages, was designed for the Kyocera FS-C5300 series.

Each of the colors (CMYK), will be available as either a bottled product or a 10Kg bag.

For more information:please call us: +31(0)24.388.2233, or visit us online: www. goat-labs.com.

ILG releases color cartridges for HP printers

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irst-to-market alternative color cartridges for HP LaserJet Pro 300/400 printer series are now available in the USA with an announcement by International Laser Group (ILG). The Californiabased company has released color cartridges for HP series CE410A, CE411A, CE412A, and CE413A, as well as the HP M351, M375, M400, M451, M475 printers. Page yields for the new cartridges are: 2,200 pages for the CE410A black cartridge and 2,600 pages each for the CE411 cyan, 412 yellow, and 413 magenta colors.

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ILG’s Color OEM alternative cartridges are engineered to meet the highest print standard in quality and performance using OEM test results as the benchmark. According to ILG, these color cartridges reduce environmental impact and offer substantial cost savings as well.

The 410A color series use the latest “Vibrant Color System”, a color cartridge manufacturing process developed by ILG to meet the demanding color environment.

“ILG continues to lead the industry with innovative new color products. We are proud to

be the first-to-market these HP OEM alternative products to our dealers, allowing them to make sales and profits. Our R & D team is proactive and quick to develop high-demand new products. We analyze and study the market trends in order to be the first-to-market with high-demand products,” said Joe Shulman, Sr. VP of Client Solutions.

For more information: Contact the ILG directly at (800) 937-2880, ext.3207 or visit www.ilglaser.com.

Recycling Times Magazine

Product Release

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Recycling Times Magazine

Product Release

MMC releases replacement ink cartridges, chips for Epson printers

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hinese imaging supplier Much More Color (MMC) recently released new replacement ink cartridges for Epson printers. These Epson printers are distributed to various areas as shown in the following table.

Af ter testing these ink cartridges in compatible business printers, MMC claims its MMC code

products are free of defects, such as, uneven ink dispensing.

Also available are replacement ribbon

cartridges GS-DS01100IINBK, which can be used in DS-1100II/2600II/300/650/80D-3/1860/AR300K printers.

OEM cartridge code

Printer Code

Distributing areas

GM-ET6771BK~ET6774Y

T6771~T6774

Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4011/ 4091/ 4511/ 4521/ 4531

Asia (exclude Japan)

GM-ET6781BK~ET6784Y

T6781~T6784 Epson PX-B700/B750F

Japan

Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4010/ 4020/ 4023/ 4090/ 4520/ 4530/ 4533/ 4540/ 4590

North America and Australia

Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4000/ 4015DN/ 4025DW/ 4095DN/ 4500/ 4515DN/ 4525DNF/ 4535DWF/ 4545DTW/ 4595DNF

Europe and Africa

GM-EICBK90MBK~EICY90MY

ICBK90M~ICY90M

GM-EICBK90LBK~EICY90LY

ICBK90L~ICY90L

GM-ET6761BK~ET6764Y

T676XL1~T676XL4

GM-ET7111BK~ET7114Y

T711XXL1~T711XXL4

GM-ET7011BK~ET7014Y

T7011~T7014

GM-ET7021BK~ET7024Y

T7021~T7024

GM-ET7031BK~ET7034Y

T7031~T7034

OCP released a new ink set for Canon PG-540 / CL-541 cartridges

O

CP's Research and Development department released a new set of inks for Canon PG540 and CL-541 cartridges. Besides the already well known BKP 44 as black pigment ink, a set of three new color dye-based inks has been developed to guarantee OEM like printing performance and results.

The PG-540 / CL-541 cartridge series is used in Canon Pixma MG 2150, Pixma MG 3150, Pixma MX 375, Pixma MX 435 and Pixma MX 515 printer models The properties of the corresponding printer models are: • printing on A4 media size • resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi • borderless printing possible • Hi-Speed USB interface • LED-Display

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• maximum black printed pages per minute: 8,4

• maximum color printed pages per minute: 4,8

A complete list of suitable inks for Canon PG-540 / CL-541 cartridges Printer

Pixma MG 2150 Pixma MG 3150 Pixma MX 375 Pixma MX 435 Pixma MX 515

OEM cartridge

Color / Type

OCP Ink(s)

PG-540

Black Pigment

BKP 44

CL-541 PG-540 XL CL-541 XL

Cyan Dye

C 710

Magenta Dye

M 710

Yellow Dye

Y 710

Black Pigment

BKP 44

Cyan Dye

C 710

Magenta Dye

M 710

Yellow Dye

Y 710

The ink volumes as well as the number of printable pages OEM cartridge

Color(s)

Ink volume*

Printable pages*

PG-540

Black

8 ml

180

CL-541

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

8 ml

180

PG-540 XL

Black

21 ml

600

CL-541 XL

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

15 ml

400

Recycling Times Magazine

OEM News

HP launches mobile & SMB printers

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ewlett-Packard released its first mobile All-In-One (AIO) printer, a device about half the size of a normal desktop printer. The HP Officejet 150 Mobile AIO is an ideal companion for business professionals who need a compact, durable solution for printing, scanning and copying while on the go. According to HP, the new printer features built-in wireless Bluetooth for printing from select notebooks and smart phones. It also has a long-lasting lithium-ion battery that provides enough power to print up to 500 pages on a full charge. It weighs 6.6 pounds, about half the 12.35 pounds of its closest cousin, the Photosmart 6510 e-All-in-One. The HP Officejet 150 Mobile All-in-One is priced at $399 and is expected to begin shipping in June.

Also available are four lasers printer targeting small and medium businesses (SMBs). The four printers are the HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401, HP LaserJet Pro 400 MFP M425, HP LaserJet

Enterprise 500 color MFP M575 and HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 MFP M525.

The HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401 is HP’s new web-connected monochrome single-function laser printer, and the HP LaserJet Pro 400 MFP M425 is the company’s first web-connected monochrome laser multifunction printer (MFP).

Both support Apple’s AirPrint and Google’s CloudPrint, allowing employees to easily print from their smart phones or tablets anywhere.

The color HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 MFP M575 and the black-and-white HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 MFP M525 feature a larger 8-inch, full-color touchscreen with HP Quick Sets for one-touch workflows. HP says its HP FutureSmart 2 firmware enables businesses to simplify software updates and manage tasks across their entire fleet with HP Web Jetadmin.

The MFPs also support HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint and Google CloudPrint.

HP claims the original HP supplies offer superior reliability, which reduces the need to

reprint, and many cartridges are made from recycled plastic.

“HP is overhauling our entire line of MFPs and today begins an onslaught of intelligent new web-enabled, cloud-enabled and solutionsenabled printing devices that meet the evolving business needs of our customers,” said Ron Coughlin, senior vice president and general manager, LaserJet and Enterprise Solutions, HP. All four printers are expected to be available worldwide on June 1, 2012.

Kyocera rolls out world’s fastest 1200×1200 dpi inkjet printhead

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yocera has made an inkjet printhead, that it claims operates at the world’s fastest print speed of 80 meters per minute. The KJ4B-Z Series 1200×1200 dpi printhead supports commercial printing requiring lowvolume, high-variety production at maximum speed and image resolution.The KJ4B-Z Series

printhead’s ability to deliver high-resolution printing is due to the high-density arrangement of piezo actuators and ink jet nozzles through Kyocera’s proprietary design and simulation technologies. According to Kyocera, the new printhead can eject up to 64,000 drops of ink per second (at 64 kHz drive frequency) from each ink nozzle, resulting in approximately

330 million drops per second from a head with 5,120 nozzles. The minimum ink droplet volume is less than 2 picoliters.

The KJ4B-Z Series simplifies equipment design by requiring fewer printheads for wideformat printing. It also allows for micron-level printhead alignment, and easier ink tubing and wiring adjustments.

Ricoh India unveils Genuine Refill Program

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arly in May, Ricoh India launched an aggressive toner cartridge recharging ser vice it calls a Genuine Refill Program. The company claims this OEM recharging plan brings down the total cost of ownership (TCO) by 70% for at least three new laser printers and A4 MFPs: the SP 100, SP 100SU and SP 100SF. All three models have a print speed of 13

pages per minute (PPM), with a duty cycle of 10,000 pages per month.

Little more information is known about this new service which is apparently designed for two reasons: 1) to win managed print service (MPS) contracts with installations that would prefer to operate under an OEM plan, but favor the cost savings inherent in aftermarket offerings; and, 2) as a new method of competing

against aftermarket cartridge remanufacturers by using the power of the OEM brand plus the appeal of a significant reduction in TCO. Reaction to the program, which is probably a pilot plan being field-tested in India, will be reported as experts weigh in on the new strategy. If successful, it will likely spread to Ricoh’s higher-end printers in India and other world regions.

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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OEM News

Ricoh unveils two A4 laser printers

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icoh has released two A4 laser printers in the Netherlands— the Aficio SP 3500N/SP and SP 3510DN—both aimed at small offices (SMBs).

These printers operate at 28 pages per minute (ppm) with an image resolution up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi.

Two printers feature a 2-line LCD operating panel and are equipped with All-In-One (AIO) cartridges.

They can print on either plain or recycled paper up to 162 g/m2, and take a wide range of formats such as A4, A5, A6, B5 and B6.

The printers can also print on envelopes and transparencies. According to Ricoh, confidential documents can be protected by printing a watermark.

Chi Chung Man, Senior Product Manager at Ricoh Europe says: “They are compact and fast, take less than 20 seconds to warm up and produce the first print in only 8 seconds. To further improve office productivity and reduce paper waste, duplex printing is standard (SP 3510DN), and a paper capacity of 550 sheets means less time spent refilling the paper tray.”

Memjet adds new partners

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emjet announced major brands have signed up for its new print technology including Canon/Océ, Fuji Xerox, Xante, Toshiba, Lenovo and LG. Océ will work with Memjet to develop new wide-format color printers, targeting speeds 15 times faster than others. The program is called Project Velocity. Océ says the new printer will combine productive hardware and workflow from Océ with high-speed Memjet inkjet technology. The printer will have 6 addressable media rolls with intelligent switching and up to 1200 meter capacity.

The unveiling of Project Velocity is the result of more than three years of joint engineering and product development between Océ and Memjet. Erik van Eldik, Vice President Wide Format Printing Systems at Océ says, “We selected Memjet as a technology partner because of the value that their impressive technology adds to the highly regarded productivity and reliability of our wide format systems. We focused on complementing our innovation assets and know-how with Memjet technology to create a product that the market was demanding as quickly as possible.”

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As for Fuji Xerox, it will use Memjet technology and components to develop wideformat printers. According to the partnership, Fuji Xerox will use Memjet technology and components in a roll-fed 42” wide-format solution targeted at technical and production graphics applications. The print resolution is up to 1600 x 1600 dpi, which is higher than traditional wide-format printers.

Fuji Xerox says it is targeting a formal product launch in the Asia Pacific region at some future date yet to be determined.

The Memjet Wide-Format inkjet printing system employs Memjet Waterfall Printhead Technology, delivering more than 3 billion drops of ink per second. The 42” wide print engine prints at speeds of 300 mm per second at 1600 x 800 dpi resolution or 150 mm per second at 1600 x 1600 dpi.

Memjet also announced a partnership with Toshiba TEC Corporation of Japan under which the two are developing new office MFP products incorporating Memjet color ink-jet printing technology. Under the partnership, Toshiba TEC, a Toshiba group, will initially work to integrate Memjet components into an MFP targeted for the office market. The MFP will

include a scanner, photocopier and color printer that’s rated at up 60 pages per minute (ppm) and will use Memjet’s page-wide print head for full-color ink-jet printing, as well as controller chip, software and ink. A future MFP product codeveloped by both companies is being exhibited at the Drupa tradeshow in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Bill McGlynn, President of the Memjet Home and Office division commented, “We’re very excited about the future Toshiba TEC MFP product and our partnership. The Toshiba TEC and Memjet collaboration is a powerful step forward in the commercialization of Memjet technology for a host of MFP solutions.”

The partnership also allows Toshiba TEC to evaluate other possible uses of Memjet technology, including certain industrial and commercial applications. It will also be evaluating Memjet technology for manufacturing, logistics and retail environments that require high-speed printing. Toshiba TEC provides point-of-sale solutions, industrial and portable label printers, self-service solutions, and digital signage solutions.

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OEM News

Xerox to provide MPS for Boeing

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erox will provide managed print services (MPS) to the Boeing Company, helping to manage documents on the ground in Boeing’s US

offices. According to the six- year Enterprise Print Services (EPS) contract, Xerox will supply, service and maintain printers, copiers and fax machines. Xerox says it will help Boeing meet environmental sustainability goals to reduce paper use, power use and landfill waste by deploying MPS. Future plans include Xerox’s mobile print solution, which will allow Boeing’s mobile workforce to securely print from any device, anytime, anywhere without downloading software, mapping to a printer or booting up their laptops, Xerox claims.

“Boeing wanted a strategic partner to both innovate the way they do business and save

money. We responded with an MPS plan that serves their specific needs for advanced security, environmentally sensitive work strategies and simplified ways to manage both printed and digital information,” said Kevin Warren, President, U.S. Client Operations, Xerox.

“This partnership will strengthen our ability to provide best-in-class print services to our employees and customers,” said Ted Colbert, Vice President, Boeing IT Infrastructure.

“Additionally, the newer technologies and improved ser vices Xerox provides will help reduce IT costs while maintaining our commitment to an environmentally friendly workplace.”

The UPS Store joins HP’s ePrint PPL

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P announced that The UPS Store locations are now a part of the HP ePrint Public Print Location network. Thus, HP ePrint Public Printing Location (PPL) service is now available at more than 4,300 The UPS Store locations in the USA. The PPL provides convenient on-the-go print services to the small office/ home office (SOHO) market and individual consumers, according to HP. Customers can geolocate the nearest The UPS Store location and then submit a print job to receive a simple and secure retrieval code.

Upon arrival at The UPS Store location, the

customer provides the retrieval code to a store associate, who will print the documents. Users also can print documents multiple times over a 7 day period using the same secure retrieval code.

“By offering HP ePrint services through The UPS Store network, mobile workers now have the ability to be as productive on the road as they are in the office,” said Bruce Dahlgren, Senior Vice President, Managed Enterprise Solutions, Printing and Personal Systems Group, HP. HP ePrint is available for more than 90% of the smartphone devices sold in the United

States. By downloading the HP ePrint Service application on a BlackBerry, iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, users can easily print emails, presentations, reports, travel documents and more to a local The UPS Store location.

OKI offers new MPS solutions

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new Okidata managed print services (MPS) solution is now available in Canada which offers nine customizable services. This cloudbased Total Managed Print (TMP) solution is a comprehensive MPS offering which includes practice methods for assessing, monitoring and optimizing print fleet management for organizations of all sizes.

OKI claims its TMP service also allows

it to deliver new and incremental growth opportunities for MPS providers and the BTA dealer channel. Tim Brien, Director of Managed Print Services for OKI Data Americas, says “OKI’s TMP solution meets the needs of the channel through its customizable, automated and streamlined processes; giving users improved

print fleet management tools and increased revenue opportunities.”

Source: http://www.okidata.com/mkt/html/ nf/viewPressRelease.html?release=891

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Recycling Times Magazine

Features

Tracking new markets: biotoners, edible Inks & other products

By Art Diamond, Senior Consulting Editor As the economic recovery stumbles forward in the United States and abroad, OEMs and aftermarket players in the imaging industry are searching for new product opportunities.

What appears to lie beyond the blue horizon are such offerings as monochrome and color biotoners, biocartridges, edible ink jet inks for food decoration, LED color printers and other creative innovations.

Monochrome biotoners Monochrome biotoners, in my opinion, are fighting for attention and hold much promise for the future of the cartridge reman industry. The reasons they will likely catch on are many, as they: • fit in perfectly with the ecological proposition of recharging, recycling and remanufacturing • use resins based upon a renewable resource, e.g., soybeans, field corn, sweet potatoes, sugar cane and sugar beets • are biodegradable and therefore compostable • decompose in a landfill environment • simplify the deinking of office waste paper • reduce our dependency on crude oil • attract a high consumer demand (if priced strategically) • dignify aftermarket toners • enable rechargers to lead, not follow, the industry

Introduced by SoyPrint in 2008, biotoners are currently offered by a total of 4 primary sources: • Future Graphics (BioBlack) • Print-Rite • Ricoh • SoyPrint At this writing, monochrome biotoner sales are building steadily in Europe where some buyers will pay a premium for the ecological benefits, but many will not. “Whenever we speak to customers about biotoner, it’s the first time they’ve heard of it. Most understand it immediately” says SoyPrint’s Vice President for Marketing, Rick Greenlaw, adding “The biggest challenge is getting the word out.”

As SoyPrint President, Debe Overhaug explains, “The future for biotoner is not to cannibalize sales of reman cartridges; it is to increase the market share of reman cartridges.”

For some biotoner formulations, the economies of scale promise lower unit manufacturing costs, a savings that might be passed on to the consumer. Such a move could accelerate sales growth.

On market acceptance, Thomas Spicker, Future Graphics’ International Vice President of Sales, commented,”BioBlack Toner is made with various agriculturally derived materials and offers an environmental friendly alternative as part of a complete recycling solution. It represents an ideal product for the printer cartridge remanufacturing industry.

Remanufacturing of cartridges is already good for the environment; combine this with bio-based toner; a toner with renewable raw materials and resin that uses less crude oil and reduces CO2 emissions. How can any potential printer June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Recycling Times Magazine

Features cartridge customer in an environmental, school/college or government organization say “No” to such a proposition?"

Color biotoners While they are presently a work-in-progress, color biotoners will offer both producers and end-users a more promising value proposition. In this future market segment, suppliers will enjoy a much thicker profit margin. If so, there might be room for a price reduction, making the color biotoner more competitive against petro-based, aftermarket color toners.

Even a minimal move toward strategic pricing could prompt buyers to jump on the bio bandwagon.

Biocartridges One subject seldom discussed in print or at industry meetings is the possibility of switching to bioplastics for the materials of construction of a toner cartridge. Such a decision is strictly in the province of the OEM, although certain aftermarket sources have already adopted bioplastics for their compatibles. Among these is Print-Rite who advises they are using renewable bioplastics derived from biomass, that is, cellulosics derived from renewable crops, plants and agricultural waste. Of course, polylactide (PLA) resins are important bioplastics replacing styrene, ABS, acrylics and other petro-based plastics in many molded products.

It seems to me that the switch is inevitable for OEMs as they seek to become more competitive against the inherently green remanufacturing community and strive to be viewed as ecofriendly organizations. A spent toner cartridge, molded from bioplastics that are biodegradable and compostable, that has reached its end-of-life stage, would be a perfect solution to the landfill disposal dilemma.

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FDA compliant, edible inks FDA compliant, edible ink jet inks have been available for food decorators for the past few years. Having a photo of a loved one on a cake, pastry or candy wrapper is a new way to add joy to a birthday, graduation or wedding celebration.

Many bakeries now offer computer designed images, photos and graphics printed on edible rice or starch paper using inks of various colors and flavors.

One of the pioneers in this emerging market is Printing Images CtC, Inc. of Subic Bay, Philippines, a company owned by imaging industry veterans, Norbert and Susan Grimm.

According to Norbert Grimm, “With all ingredients 100% edible, stringently clean manufacturing processes and diligent quality control, Printing Images CtC, Inc. provides the highest quality imaging products at the lowest price suited and catered to the food industry.”

Using a paper made of rice, a customer’s design is created on computer and printed directly onto the rice paper. The printed sheet is laid on top of the food item. No labor or messy application is involved since the decoration has been formed on the rice paper. The same process can be used to decorate a candy wrapper, pie, quiche, etc.

“We continue to receive inquiries every day from all over the world,” noted Grimm. “It’s really surprising to know that home bakers, small, medium and large bakeries and even major food companies are exploring edible Ink applications.

Edible inks can also be used for food marking, branding, or printing shelf life, expiration dates and other information on eggs, fruits and other perishables. While this is still a small market compared to home and office printing, it has a huge growth potential.”

LED color printers With its mission defined as building and achieving a leading position in China’s imaging technology industry, Aetas Technology (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd. began production

Recycling Times Magazine

Features

â–˛ Aetas S2005N color LED printer

of its S2005N color LED printer in September 2011. The revolutionary imaging device has a print speed of 20 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white and 5 ppm for color.

The revolutionary printer is designed to bring an affordable color copier, printer and multifunction device into home, SOHO, SMB and corporate officesworldwide.

Aetas Systems Incorporated (ASI) was established in July 1996 and later located in the Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan in February 1998. The company is a unit of Aetas Technology Inc. of America and with this debut became the first enterprise to successfully develop a color printer engine in China. After

an investment of 100 million dollars and more than 1,100 man years in R&D, Aetas was awarded 120 international patents with another 40 now pending.

While Aetas focused its creative energy on mastering DC particle jumping technology, Fuji Xerox and Okidata targeted higher efficiency LED arrays, that is, those that output more light while consuming less power. This combination enables higher printing speeds and multi-level light intensity for each LED. Xerox rolled out its Phaser 7800 on November 9, 2011.

Entry priced at $4,599, this LED color printer outputs 45 color ppm with a maximum resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi.

It is capable of printing one- or two-sided pages up to 11 x 17-inches (tabloid) in size.

Future outlook Taken together, these trends and directions the imaging industry is taking spell opportunity for many new and existing companies. They are evidence of a dynamic industry driven by technology and guided by environmental objectives.

Most important, they stress the need to keep up with the changes that are taking place and will likely shape the future for all of us.

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Features

An overview of Japanese OEMs financial reports Despite continued weakness in European markets, the global economy is recovering. The United States showed positive signs of recovery as consumer confidence picked up slightly.

Growth in emerging economies, such as China remains the driving force of printer sales.

Recently, many OEMs have released their quarterly or yearly reports which show their financial performance has been overshadowed both by a waning economy and natural disasters. Among these are the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, the ensuing tsunami, and the massive flood in Thailand. With the Japanese yen (¥) continuing its appreciation against the euro (€) and the US dollar ($), many Japanese OEMs have suffered a loss. Let’s take a look at Canon’s first quarter (Q1) financial report and the fiscal year (FY ) 2011 financial reports of Epson, Konica Minolta and Brother to see how they faced up to the challenge.

Canon Canon released its 1Q12 financial report on April 25, 2012.

Through cost reductions and a comprehensive effort to streamline expenses, it achieved a third consecutive quarter of operating-profit and net-income growth, despite a slight decrease in net sales. Canon’s quarterly net sales accounted for ¥829.2 billion yen (U.S. $10,113 million), a year-over-year ( YoY ) decrease of just 1.2%. Also, Canon’s gross profit ratio declined from 48.4% to 47.1%, due mainly to yen appreciation.

Net sales for Canon’s Office Business Unit, including office network digital multifunction printers (MFPs); color network digital MFPs; personal-use network digital MFPs; office copying machines; full-color copying machines; personal-use copying machines; laser printers; wide format inkjet printers; and digital production printers, totalled ¥438.0 billion (U.S.$5,342 million), a decline of 8.9% YoY. In 1Q12, the overall copier market remained in a puzzling gradual recovery mode, with a total growth rate of 1%. Net sales of copiers increased 1.7%, on a local currency basis.

In yen terms, however, net sales decreased 1.8%. The color copier sector maintained fast growth momentum against last year’s 11% annual growth, reaching 13% in the 1Q. However, the monochrome copier sector continued to decline, reporting a 5% decrease in Q1. (See Figure 1) The demand for color multifunction printers (MFPs) continued to display growth in 1Q12. The admirable sales performance of color MFPs was led by the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5000/C2000 series. Sales volumes of both monochrome and color MFPs increased above the 2011

1Q12 Growth rate YoY (Unified base)

Copier

Printer

Color

+13%

+5%

Monochrome

-5%

-15%

Total

+1%

-13%

▲ Figure 1: Canon’ s office equipment unit growth rate

period. In addition, sales of imagePRESS C7010VPS-series color MFPs for production printing, machines that were jointly developed by Canon and Océ, gained momentum and contributed to increased unit sales of production printing devices.

According to Tosh izo Tanaka, Canon’s Executive Vice President and CFO, “We faced a changing environment due to the economic slowdown in Europe. In emerging markets, office-related products sold to the highest demand, thanks to economic growth. In this environment, we focused on promoting sales of our imageRUNNER Advance series, which led to an increase in unit sales.”

As for laser printers, the overall market continued to see sluggish growth, prompting an effort to reduce inventories due to the uncertain business climate mainly in Europe. As a result, hardware unit sales decreased 13%, while sales of consumable goods decreased 9% on a local currency basis.

In total, net sales of other printing devices in 1Q12 decreased 14.9%.

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Features Demand for inkjet remained solid in emerging economies, sales overall declined due to product supply shortages and other factors. When talking about Canon’s full year projection, Toshizo Tanaka forecast, “Demand for such products as MFPs will grow modestly while the laser printer market is expected to follow a path of recovery in the second half of the year. And net sales of copiers are projected to increase 7.8%. ” Epson Epson released its 2011 financial report on April 27, 2012, as its fiscal year ends on March 31, 2012. In FY 2011, Epson’s performance was affected by the European financial crisis, the sustained strength of the yen, and a series of devastating natural disasters. Fiscal year net sales were ¥877,997 million ($10,682.52 USD), down 9.8% YoY. Operating income and net income were ¥24.6 billion and ¥15.6 billion, respectively, with corresponding changes of a 24.7% decrease and a 1.6% increase, compared with FY 2011, which ended on March 31, 2011.

Net sales of Epson’s information equipment segment, which includes the printer business, totalled ¥691.8 billion ($8.4 billion USD) in 2011, down 3.1% YoY, while operating income was ¥64,888 million ($789.5 million USD), down 8.7% YoY. Epson’s printer business covers color inkjet printers, page printers, dot matrix printers, wide-format inkjet printers, and related supplies, color image scanners, mini-printers, printers for use in POS systems and others. In its financial report, Epson claimed net sales in the printer business, as a whole, declined. Sales of this segment totaled ¥555.4 billion, while that of 2010 was ¥577.3 billion. Net sales of inkjet printers accounted for 68% of total printer sales; page printers comprised 11%, and business system 19%, exactly the same split as in 2010. (See Figure 2) Consumer inkjet printer sales, including both hardware units and consumables, declined due to soft markets, especially in Europe and North America. Although sales in Japan were brisk, sales in other regions declined due to aggressive pricing by rivals and Epson’s curtailing promotions in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. Extra costs, resulting from the use of air transport in response to manufacturing and supply delays from the earthquake in Japan and flooding in Thailand, also contributed to weak performance.

Moreover, lower hardware volume in the first half of fiscal 2011 impacted recovery in consumables demand. Sales performance picked up a bit in the second half of that year.

Epson reported that, although hardware volume fell short of

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▲ Figure 2: Epson’ s Annual Net Sales Comparison

the annual target, growth was steady in almost all regions even as European and American markets contracted in the second half of FY 2011. Emerging markets, such as China, remain the driving force in inkjet demand. Epson added, “Business inkjet printer demand picked up in China and other parts of Asia experiencing economic growth, but was moderated somewhat by spending restraints in the printing industry and other sectors due to economic uncertainty.”

Unit shipments of wide-format printers were tempered by the earthquake and tsunami yet still grew thanks to the launch of attractive new products in Europe and America.

Page printer net sales suffered as the market shifted toward entry-level models, causing average selling prices to drop.

Page printer net sales were also hurt by a decrease in sales of consumables, the result of a smaller installed base in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. SIDM (serial impact dot matrix) printer unit shipments increased as a result of the demand associated with China’s tax collection system. POS (point-of-sale) system products unit shipments increased as a result of the growth in sales of low- and medium-priced units to small- and medium-sized retailers.

In its outlook for FY 2012, Epson expects net sales of its printer business to reach ¥565 billion compared with last years’ actual sales of ¥555.4 billion, in which net sales of inkjet printers, page printers and business systems account for 68%, 19% and 11%, respectively. Printer sales are expected to reach ¥252 billion in the first half year and ¥313 billion in the second half year.

Since inkjet printers play a major role in the performance of Epson’s printer business, the company plans to take the following initiatives to improve performance in this segment by:

Recycling Times Magazine

Features • Expanding lineup of products for home, office and emerging markets in an effort to increase unit volume by 10%, or more, compared to last year Deploying compact inkjet models across home and office markets • Expanding sales in commerce by targeting signage, CAD and emerging markets with lower cost wide-format printers based on standardized platforms • Growing hardware unit sales, and expanding consumables revenue from 3Q12.

As for its business systems, Epson would: • In addition to steady demand for SIDM in Chinese tax collection systems, capture new demand from banks and rural communities, and move to win tender business • In POS-related products, meet demand from large, medium and small retailers, develop new demand by proposing intelligent systems, and boost sales and marketing capabilities Konica Minolta Konica Minolta released its 4Q11 and FY 2011 financial reports on May 10, 2012, as its fiscal year ended on March 31, 2012. During FY 2011, the company faced difficulties in procuring certain materials and components due to largescale natural disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and flooding in Thailand. According to Konica Minolta, it has taken steps to minimize the effect on sales by strengthening cooperation among its development, procurement, and production divisions. As a result, both net sales and operating income rose from the previous fiscal year despite a strong yen.

Net sales for FY 2011 amounted to ¥767.8 billion, a decrease of 1.3% YoY. Operating income stood at ¥40.3 billion, up 0.8%.

Konica Minolta’s businesses are categorized as Business Technologies, Optics, Healthcare, and other segments.

Business Technologies takes up about 80% of the company’s total revenue. It is the strong performance of this one segment that contributes most to the company’s growth. Therefore we will focus on the company’s Business Technologies operations.

Konica Minolta divides its Business Technologies into two portions: office printing and production printing. According to its report, net sales of the office printing segment totalled ¥447.3 billion, a slight decrease compared with last year’s ¥454.7 billion. As for the production printing segment, it increased impressively from ¥84.9 billion to ¥100.3 billion. In general, net sales of the Business Technologies Business stood at ¥547.5 billion, up 1% YoY. Excluding the negative effects of exchange rate fluctuations, net sales rose about 6.0%, while

operating income increased to ¥39.5 billion, up from last years’ ¥37.5 billion, a 5% increase after excluding the effect of exchange rate. (See Figure 3)

▲ Figure 3

Office printing segment In the office printing segment, overall sales volume of the A3 MFPs of Konica Minolta’s Bizhub series for FY 2011 performed best, reflecting stronger sales of color MFPs in all regions—Japan, the United States, Europe, China and other nations. The growth rate of color units in A3 MFPs segment differs from region to region. China took the lead among all markets, which increased by 47% in this segment, while Japan, the United States and Europe each grew by 7%, 15% and 8%, respectively (See Figure 4). Sales of monochrome MFPs (not shown) remained flat.

A3 Office Color MFPs Japan

U.S.

Europe

China

4Q

+14%

+21%

+8%

+35%

Full Year

+7%

+15%

+8%

+47%

▲ Figure 4: A3 office MFPs growth rate of color units by regions (YoY/unit)

Interestingly, Konica Min olta bolstered its global sales system by OPS (Optimized Print Services), which aims at providing optimal printing environments to customers. As a consequence, sales to global major accounts increased steadily. Konica Minolta said to expand its IT services network in North America and Europe it acquired several IT service providers.

Production print segment In the production print segment, fiscal year sales exceeded ¥100 billion, driven by color equipment. This performance reflects strong sales of three new color digital printing systems, the Bizhub PRESS C8000, C7000, and C6000. Sales volume of monochrome MFPs also rose from the previous fiscal year especially in the overseas market. Consequently June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Features overall sales volumes in this field remained robust throughout the fiscal year. Konica Minolta has achieved remarkable sales growth in China in addition to markets in Japan, United States and Europe. Growth rate of color units in this segment is quite pleasing. Astonishingly, the China market realized a 94% growth compared with last year’s, while Japan and the United States gained 60%, 15% and 44% increase respectively. (See Figure 5) Production Print Japan

U.S.

Europe

China

4Q

+32%

+3%

+2%

+78%

Full Year

+60%

+15%

+44%

+94%

▲ Figure 5: Production Print growth rate of color units by regions (YoY/units)

Looking ahead, Konica Minolta expects the demand for production printing products will continue to expand both in Japan and in overseas markets. Demand for office MFPs will be driven by growth in demand in emerging markets. In developed countries, the company expects to boost demand from global major accounts, leveraging the development of the office printing segment. By the end of FY 2012, Konica Minolta expects net sales to reach ¥800 billion and operating income ¥48 billion.

Brother Brother reported, on May 8, 2012, financial results for its FY 2011 which ended on March 31, 2012.

Despite the effects of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, slowdown of global economic growth and the substantial rise of the yen, sales remained at a level similar to the previous years, reaching ¥4,974 billion, a 1.1% decrease. Brother said, operating income decreased by 5.3%, reaching ¥34.2 billion, due to a negative impact from foreign exchange rate, increases in R&D expense and the increased cost of raw materials.

In the Printing and Solutions business, net sales declined to ¥337,226 million from ¥340,193 million in FY 2010. But Brother said that it saw a steady increase in sales of laser printers for small office/home office (SOHO) and small and medium-sized business (SMB) and it saw demand for supplies continue to grow steadily in all regions. The strong demand for laser-based hardware and supplies is something that most of its competitors were unable to report.

According to Brother, in FY 2011, the company has implemented strategies that optimized functions of global production facilities. For its Printing and Solution business, Brother set up a factory in the Philippines which will be in

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operation by April, 2013. It also expanded production in the Brother plant near Hanoi, Vietnam. The company said it has established a strong position in the SOHO/SMB market by promoting a global growth strategy.

In FY 2012, Brother expects sales to increase in all business segments and in all regions by execution of a growth strategy.

Despite the negative effects of the foreign exchange rate, operating income is projected to remain at a similar level due to profits from increased sales and cost reduction. In the coming fiscal year, Brother plans to: • Enhance business segment by launching new models such as high-end, black-and-white laser printers, All-InOne (AIO) printers, and inkjet with a high-speed, fixed nozzle array head.

• Expand sales of mid-to-high-end lineups and increase marketing in emerging markets.

• Develop competitive products and enhance sales in the China and Asia Pacific markets.

Conclusions Based upon these latest financial reports from Canon, Epson, Konica Minolta and Brother, we conclude that: • Markets in Europe remain soft, but in most other global regions the economy is gaining strength, however slowly the recovery might be • A waning economy and natural disasters resulted in financial losses for many Japanese OEMs • Add the appreciation of the Japanese yen against the US dollar and the European euro, and the loss is exacerbated • MFPs, especially color devices, have become the major contributor to growth • Consumer ink jet printer sales in 2011 were down due to soft markets in Europe and North America, but brisk in Japan • Laser printers still enjoy steady growth in emerging markets, such as China • Laser printers appear to be displacing ink jet in SMB and SOHO markets • An emerging market is a growth opportunity for all printing products • SMB is the target market for many OEMs Unfortunately, these reports left us wondering about the impact the recent Silverbrook/Memjet settlement might have on the relative growth of ink jet printing in all market sectors, especially for SMB and SOHO sales. Will this technology represent a boon or a bust for ink jet? Chances are the Year 2012 will answer that question.

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Profiles

Future Graphics offers matched toners, OPC drums and more

By Art Diamond, Senior Consulting Editor It was Friday, April 13, 2012, when we visited Future Graphics at its headquarters in San Fernando, California. We spent a few informative hours with International Sales Vice President, Thomas Spicker.

Origins Future Graphics was founded in the 1980s and quickly became a leading distributor of supplies and consumables for the remanufacturing industry. In 2006 Future Graphics became the distributor of Mitsubishi Kagaku Imaging Corporation’s (MKIC) drums and toner products. In 2008, MKIC acquired the assets of Future Graphics, LLC and formed Future Graphics Imaging Corporation (FGIC). In 2010, FGIC merged with MKIC and Future Graphics became a division of MKIC. “My understanding,” said Thomas Spicker, “is that in 1986-87 there were about 40 employees and the major products were reman cartridges in addition to supplies and consumables. The number of SKUs later expanded to include toners, photoreceptors and other supplies. The company has since grown to more than 100 employees with offices and distribution centers in the U.S. and overseas.”

Today, Future Graphics no longer offers remanufactured printer cartridges but is focused on some 3500 SKUs (shelf keeping units) for its many customers worldwide. MKIC’S Chesapeake, Virginia facility is roughly twice as large as the San Fernando facility, housing office, warehouse and toner manufacturing operations. OPC drums are manufactured by MKIC affiliates in Singapore and Japan.

With toner plants in Virginia, toner filling in Mexico and sales offices and global distributors in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, India, Mexico, Singapore and Venezuela, the company and its affiliates are able to serve their customer base in a most efficient and timely manner.

Differentiation Future Graphics expressed clearly the importance of Future Graphics’ as an integrated producer of toner and OPC drums.

As explained, the toner and the OPC drum function together as critical components in the electrophotographic process.

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▲ Thomas Spicker, Future Graphics’ International Sales Vice President

Therefore, matching their properties is key to achieving top performance from these imaging consumables. MKIC and its affiliates design and manufacture toners and drums to function together as part of a comprehensive solution for each individual printer model.

Consequently, a major difference between Future Graphics and its imaging materials competitors is that it is a source that supplies its own OPC drums and toners (chemical, mechanical, and bio-based). Much can be said of this distinction considering the importance of compatibility in matching the two consumable products in order to achieve the optimum results in print quality and page yield.

Furthermore, Future Graphics benefits from 2 major research centers in the USA (California and Virginia), in addition to the R&D and technical support centers of its affiliates in Japan, China and Singapore.

All Future Graphics’ products sold by Future Graphics (drums, toners, chips, blades, PCR’s, mag rollers, etc.) undergo rigorous tests to meet the strict technical requirements set by MKIC/Future Graphics. This is why they can offer “Comprehensive System Solutions”, an optimum combination

Recycling Times Magazine

Profiles of consumables and supplies for the remanufacturing industry from one company.

Future Graphics is a global leader in aftermarket imaging supplies. It combines the expertise of a worldleading value-added distributor, and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of toner and OPCs for the imaging aftermarket. The result is unmatched technical resources capable of delivering market-leading, matched systems to the remanufacturing ▲ Future Graphics California Headquarters & a few branded products industry.

Future Graphics is also the exclusive source of superior MK MKIC: a subsidiary of a world renowned, Imaging brand OPCs and toner and Kaleidochrome brand multi-national parent MCC, an operating company of Mitsubishi Chemical color toner. Future Graphics and its affiliates manage three North American and nine international sales and distribution Holdings Group, is an acronym for Mitsubishi Chemical centers, delivering superlative levels of customer satisfaction Corporation, the parent company of MKIC. MCC is a major chemical manufacturing corporation headquartered in Japan. to remanufacturers all over the globe.

Putting it simply, Spicker said, “We are a premium brand Among a vast array of products, it produces mono, color and known for a high level of quality that is tightly controlled and chemical toners, as well as coated OPC drums.

The below, color coded diagram provides an overview of reliably sustained. Consistent quality from lot to lot and for all products is important for us but even more important for our branches, divisions and distributors worldwide. Europe, Asia and South Africa remain part of the distributor Delacamp’s customers.”

Thomas Spicker defined the company’s mission as a territory. Latin America is served by other independent twofold effort: First, to focus on customer satisfaction and distributors. In Mexico, Filtec, a subsidiary of MKIC, is ensure its efforts are held to the highest standard, and second, primarily a packaging and toner bottling plant. Operations to continually strive toward product improvement for every in Chesapeake, Virginia produce monochrome toners. The largest plant supplying Future Graphics with OPC drums is in one of its 3500 SKUs.

▲ Future Graphics’sales and distribution support facilities June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Recycling Times Magazine

Profiles Singapore, an operation that has been established there for many years.

Chemical color toner MKIC is one of the world’s largest providers of chemical color toner, which it markets under the brand name Kaleidochrome. “This is a very popular product for us,” Spicker noted.

Color toners still concern many remanufacturers as well as their customers. However, the quality and uniformity of color toners are improving substantially within the industry.

Remanufacturers now have a choice of good color toner from several sources. Give the industry, time and eventually technology catches up. Problems are solved and products get better. Based upon past history, once they begin to sell color cartridges, remanufacturers and their consumable suppliers can make constant and continuing adjustments to improve their products in the long term.

“We constantly strive to improve our products,” explained Spicker, “We began shipping HP 4600 color toner in 2004, and we have made several updated versions since then.

This is the way Japanese companies work: constant product improvement.”

In the color toner market, consistent quality is the key to success. Future Graphics strives to be equal to or better than the OEM quality.

Tony Lee, Recycling Times Publisher Said, “Some buyers in China say they must have Future Graphics parts because these products have an excellent reputation for consistent quality.

Future Graphics may not be the least expensive, but it is the most consistent.”

Spicker added, “Yes, we attribute our success and continued growth in this industry to consistent product quality. As proof, we have one of the lowest return rates on our OPC drums

▲ Patents granted to Future Graphics

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▲ Future Graphics California Headquarters

of any supplier to this industry. Add to this distinction a distribution network that is now one of the broadest and one of the best, plus our dedication to improving our record for customer satisfaction. At the end of the day, the growth of our customers drives the growth of Future Graphics.”

BioBlack biotoner BioBlack is Future Graphics’ entry into the emerging market for biotoners. It is produced by MKIC at its Virginia toner plant using a proprietary, patent-pending toner formulation. Future Graphics is currently one of the world’s leaders in biotoner products for most of the popular laser printer models.

Because it is formulated using substantial amounts of a biobased resin, derived from a renewable and harvested product, it reduces our dependency upon crude oil. Future Graphics estimates that each kilogram (Kg) of BioBlack saves about 0.61 liters of petroleum. In addition, 1 Kg of this environmentally friendly toner reduces about 460 grams of CO2 emissions.

Because the bio-content of this “green” imaging toner is as high as 34%, as determined by carbon dating procedures, it qualifies for the USDA’s “Certified Biobased Product Label.”

Future Graphics claims this toner will be most appealing to customers who produce high quality cartridges and who have access to customers looking for an eco-friendly product and willing to pay a premium price for it. Targeted buyers include: • The public sector, e.g., government offices & educational facilities • Organizations active in environmental causes • Companies interested in building a green or greener image • Event printing, such as, trade shows, sporting events, etc.

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Profiles The future for Future Future Graphics is a good proposition for remanufacturers because it offers the industry a premium quality product. Most sales people want to be first to market, but Future Graphics prefers to test, retest and test again before launch. The result is that MKIC’s OPC drums have an excellent reputation for quality. Indeed, Spicker remarked, “When the industry talks about Mitsubishi drums and toner they also praise its quality and consistency. As a Japanese-owned company, we are extremely sensitive to customer satisfaction and are able to measure this variable scrupulously. At the end of the day, achieving and holding product quality is the key to success in this industry. As proof, we believe we have one of the lowest return rates on our OPC drums of any supplier in the industry.”

Looking ahead, we sensed a strong, positive outlook from Thomas Spicker at Future Graphics as evidenced by the company’s expanding global channels and growing list of customers. As Spicker puts it, “For any maturing market, the higher the quality bar is raised, the better is the business potential for Future Graphics. Our goal is not to be first to market, but always to be the best in the market!”

Future Graphics today enjoys one of the largest and most

extensive networks of sales and distribution centers of any consumable supplier in the cartridge reman industry.

The company and its affiliates are actively expanding these operations worldwide.

Future Graphics’ business in China is continuing to expand.

It’s fair to say that China is a very important market as there are many remans in China which boasts a population of 1.5 billion citizens. “Our focal point is remanufacturing,” declared Spicker, “It is our intent to sell to customers that are still remanufacturing, not those believed to be trading in compatibles or counterfeit cartridges.”

“We continue to expand in China because the business also covers the entire Asia Pacific region including Cambodia, India, Southeast Asia and Vietnam. In support of this growth, we have recently expanded to a new facility in Zhuhai. Dick Yu is our Sales Manager there with 4 traveling sales people and 5 technical and administrative support staff. That staff has grown from 1 man just 3 years ago to 10 employees today.”

Based upon Recycling Times’ statistics, the installation of laser printers will move from under 20% in 2008 to 21% in 2013, but MFPs (multi-function printers) will increase to 37% overtaking ink jet by more than 10%. If this is China’s future, it spells a promising future for Future Graphics as well!

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Profiles

Print-Rite’s gigantic toner plant goes on-stream If you checked out the spanking new facility, you would definitely be overwhelmed by the mighty, thundering machines, a team of giants with 4 stories high. Toner production seems an effortless task to this behemoth. Just a short trip from the 4th floor down to the 1st floor, one barrel of finished product after another is smoothly and continuously manufactured and packaged. The outcome is definitely pleasing, but to complete the two fully-automated production lines, ICMI has spent much effort and capital, overcoming countless obstacles during its two years of design and construction.

Robotic production line With its startup early this year, Zhuhai-based ICMI (China) Ltd. (ICMI) becomes the world’s largest robotic toner manufacturer. This subsidiary of Print-Rite Holdings, one of the world’s leading producers of compatible printer consumables, is designed to satisfy the demand for toner by China’s huge market, and its export trade as well.

In 2003, ICMI was established as the R&D center and manufacturing base of Print-Rite’s toner products. After years of development, it is now the largest and most advanced toner operation in China. This achievement is marked by its highprofile announcement at RemaxAsia Expo last year that two of the world’s largest, automated production lines were near completion. The endeavor would increase ICMI’s annual toner production to 70,000 metric tons, part of which is being contributed by the company’s plant in the Nanping area. The two, newly-added production lines are in ICMI’s plant located in the Fushan Industrial Park, in the outskirts of Zhuhai, and each of them is equipped with an annual production capacity of 25,000 metric tons per year.

ICMI has invested more than 20 million US dollars in the new facility. Each automated production line, 4 stories high, comprises the most advanced compounding, crushing, grinding and classifying machines, plus online particle size measurement and control, a testing laboratory and other ancillary facilities. No manual operation is needed, except for a raw material feed stream at the very beginning and a packaging operation at the line’s termination.

The entire production line is monitored and controlled by computers in a central control room. Every operation,

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▲ ICMI’ s new plant in Fushan Industrial Park

as many as 5000 in total, can be individually controlled by a single button, or touch screen icon, in the central control room.

To guarantee the consistent quality, an online particle size measurement instrument samples and tests the toner at intermediate points every two seconds. If the particle size drifts away from pre-set limits, the system automatically changes conditions to offset the shift. Through such automated control, ICMI manages to maintain toner within close particle size tolerances thereby holding the quality consistent. About the quality, General Manager Tang Fugen proudly says, “It’s one of the key factors that guarantees ICMI’s success in the toner industry.”

Many problems to solve Recalling the exhaustive steps taken to prepare the two lines, Tang observed, “There were many obstacles we faced that had to be overcome. How to make sure each of the 5,000 measurements proceed smoothly and in sequence?

Recycling Times Magazine

Profiles

▲ Interview with Tang Fugen (Middle), the General Manager of ICMI

How to achieve the automated transportation of toner, which sometimes goes up and sometimes comes down? How to separate air and toner? How to adjust a measured parameter once it drifts out of compliance with the pre-set limits? There were many, many problems! To tackle these issues, ICMI invited both domestic and foreign experts to provide the instruction and the consultation. We also recognize the major contribution of our own R&D team to the successful startup of this massive new plant. After constant adjustments and fine tunings, the system is deemed reliable and consistent enough to be put on-stream and into regular production.”

In recent years, more and more toner manufacturers in China have moved to extend their production capacity. They are driven by the trend of an increasing number of laser printer installations in China. Tang believes this movement provides the toner industry a very promising development opportunity and the company’s production enlargement program will meet the growing appetite from customers at home and abroad.

suppliers at home and abroad. After persistent efforts, the company finally found the right bioresin.

The use of biotoner was controversial for a long time because it’s made from biomass extracted from food that human beings consume. ICMI has taken that into consideration during the entire R&D process. Tang said, “Not competing for human food is one of the most important principles in our biotoner development program. We primarily use byproducts of corns, beans, sugar canes and other grown and harvested plants as the bioresin source.”

Tang added, “The biotoner market is still in its infancy.

Hence, sales performance is not as good as predicted. But ICMI is optimistic about biotoner’s future. ‘Low Carbon, Energy Saving, Green and Environmentally Protective’ is the common pursuit of printer consumable manufacturers and end-users. Increased awareness of ‘Low Carbon’ among consumers would lead environmentally friendly products to market. Eventually, we shall overcome the technical difficulties of biotoner formulation and reduce its cost, making it affordable to most people.”

A tradition of innovation As a subsidiary of Print-Rite, ICMI closely follows in its parent company’s footsteps and is forging an innovative path

A biotoner pioneer By 2010, ICMI, the pioneer, had already launched a selfdeveloped biotoner when such a product was almost unheard of in the imaging industry. Now, its self-produced biotoner is compatible with various printer models such as HP1010, HP1022, HP4200, and Lexmark printers. A type of biotoner that contains almost 10% biomass content has already been put into mass production. And the company is now developing a new formula which contains 40% to 50% biomass content and is expected to be in regular production this year.

The research and development of biotoner wasn’t a flat and straight road, neither. No ready bioresin specialized for the toner use could be found in the market back at that time.

To find a suitable solution, ICMI reached out to countless ▲ A part of the robotic production line June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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Profiles toward the product development. The inherited creativity has been deeply-rooted.

Tang spoke with great familiarity when describing ICMI’s patents and inventions. For example, some low carbon and environmentally friendly printers have been switched to using the low temperature fusing technology. Toner must be fused on paper under the low temperature and its outer layer must be soft and almost liquid-like. However, the toner like that would be difficult to transport. To solve this transportation problem, ICMI has invented a toner production process using CT-6 technology. Tang explained, “We use this technology to form a shell around the low temperature fusing toner with a hard layer, making it suitable for transportation. When it is heated, the outer layer falls off. Just like making a rice dumpling.”

To wrap up a tiny toner particle with a thin layer of substance is definitely not as easy as making a rice dumpling, indeed, it’s 1,000 times more difficult! ICMI has applied for patents on its CT-6 technology and has already been awarded 22 toner-related patents, with 5 patent applications pending.

Through consistent innovation, ICMI has been granted the “National High and New Technology Enterprise” distinction.

Tang proudly said, “ICMI is the only toner manufacturer to obtain such an honor.”

A green philosophy ICMI has also inherited Print-Rite’s green philosophy to protect the environment. It has made some technical improvements to optimize the use of water and air in the new automated production lines. For example, production waste water is recycled within a closed system. Also, used air is recycled within a toner processing operation, a system that ICMI has registered in a patent application. This process ensures that no polluted particles are released to the open air.

On the other hand, fine toner powders are collected through a proprietary technology and reused, while waste powders that cannot be recycled are sent to a qualified waste disposal company to deal with in an environmentally friendly way. It is by constantly using technology that ICMI manages to further fulfill the green philosophy of its Print-Rite parent.

In addition, ICMI is ISO9001:2008, ISO14001 and QC080000 certified and is the only toner manufacturer in China that has established such standards. ISO9001:2008 helps it meet customers’ quality requirements while continually improving operational processes; ISO14001 helps to identify, and systematically reduce any harmful effects it may have on the environment; and QC080000 assists in continually improving

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▲ Another part of the robotic production line

ICMI’s environmental performance. Guided by the above three sets of standards, ICMI always finds a solution to manufacture high quality products in an environmentally friendly manner.

Challenges are opportunities The global economic outlook is dim and many countries are still undergoing an economic crisis. Many people are pessimistic about the future for third party printer supplies, but Tang is very positive about it. He explains his optimism, stating, “Third party consumables can help customers save money. Every time there is an economic crisis, you see a sales decline among OEMs and a sales boom with third party suppliers. Of course, competition in the industry is keen, but as long as our product is good, our service is satisfactory and value is added, there is no need to worry about the market or future sales activity.”

Future outlook Looking ahead, there are both challenges and opportunities over the horizon. ICMI has already found its golden secrets to survive in this industry. There is no doubt that it will continue to flourish by creating more proprietary intellectual properties, by leading the trend to automated toner manufacture, and by developing more high quality products that are environmentally friendly.

From 2003 until 2012, ICMI has grown from a small subsidiary to a market leader in China’s toner industry.

Looking backward, we can see the spirit of innovation and self-independence in the company’s flesh and bones. We can also see its strict pursuit of the high product quality. ICMI uses technologies to make good things happen, but it never forgets its social responsibility. ICMI practices the green initiative on an everyday basis. It stands as a model for other industry players to follow.

Recycling Times Magazine

Tech Zone

Remanufacturing the HP LaserJet Enterprise 600/MFP 4555 toner cartridges

By Mike Josiah and the Technical Staff at Uninet Imaging First introduced in March 2011, the HP LaserJet Enterprise 600/MFP 4555 engine is a 43-62ppm (depending on model), 1200 dpi multi-function engine. The new CE390A and CE390X cartridges are rated for 10,000 and 24,000 pages respectively. As with all mono black HP cartridges to date, the chip is mainly controlling the toner low functions and of course the HP/ Non HP cartridge message.

HP initially released the MFP machines first, then a few months later the Enterprise 600 series was released These are nice cartridges to do in that there are no plastic rivets to cut or drill, All the screws are the same size, and no glue type seals are used anywhere inside.

The current machines that use these new cartridges are as follows: • HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 M601n • HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 M601dn • HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 M602n/M602dn/M602x • HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 M603n • HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 M603dn • HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 M603xh • HP-LaserJet M4555h MFP • HP-LaserJet M4555f MFP • HP-LaserJet M4555fskm MFP These cartridges are also very profitable to make! The retail price for the CE390A is $238.50* and the CE390X is $398.56* *Pricing as of December 2011 One very interesting note is that the printer uses the laser scanner unit to eliminate residual charges from the OPC drum. Here is what the service manual says on this: “The residual charge on the photosensitive drum surface is eliminated to avoid uneven image. The residual charge of the previous image is left on the drum surface after the transfer operation and this affects the following image formation. The product eliminates this residual charge by emitting a laser beam to the drum surface. The drum charge elimination is operated only during the last rotation period”.

So basically after the wiper blade cleans the drum, the laser fires again at a different intensity to electrically clean the drum. The PCR is still charging the drum with both AC and DC signals so it is still cleaning the drum electrically too, but the laser is helping do this by eliminating most of the charges before the PCR fires. This is most likely needed because of the

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▲ Figure1

speed of the machine.(Up to 62ppm) Figure 1 shows the shipping seals in place on a new OEM cartridge. The main seal separates the two halves of the cartridge relieving some of the pressure on the various spring loaded and foam assemblies.

Printer usage, as well as some common printer/cartridge problems will be covered at the end of this article.

Required tools • Toner approved vacuum.

• A small common screwdriver • A Phillips head screwdriver • Needle nose pliers • Magnetic roller press Supplies needed • Polyester based toner; 1100g for the HY, 725g for the LY • Replacement drum • Wiper blade • Doctor blade • PCR • Magnetic roller sleeve • Conductive grease • White lithium grease • Replacement chip

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Tech Zone

Remove the metal bar from the left side, and remove the entire drum cover assembly. Make sure you put the spring in a safe place. See Figure 5

5

2

Remove the plastic drum bushing/ gear train assembly and screw.

6

Remove the 5 screws from the left end cap. See Figures 6

3

Remove the left side end cap. Both halves will come apart easily. Be careful not to damage the drum or mag roller sleeve. See Figure 8

Remove the drum. Lift it up from the large gear side, pull over and remove. There is no need to remove the drum axle pin. If it is removed, there is a chance that the hole in the plastic wall that it seats in will become enlarged slightly allowing the axle and drum to move slightly. This will cause banding. step >

step >

7

10

8

step >

On the opposite side of the cartridge, carefully pry off the drum cover plastic arm. The spring will probably pop off, take care not to loose it. We will go over the installation at the end of this article. See Figure 4

4

Remove the right side end cap from the cartridge. Note that the gears do not come off the end cap. See Figure 7

step >

step >

Open the drum cover towards the back of the cartridge. Remove the right side metal bar by pressing it out of the small clip. See Figure 3

step >

9

Remove the five screws on the right side end cap. See Figure 2 step >

step >

step >

step >

step >

Place the cartridge with the toner hopper facing up and towards you.

This will orient the cartridge for right and left sides.

1

11

Remove the PCR. See Figure 13

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

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12

Remove the two screws from the wiper blade. See Figure 14

step >

Due to the high speed and page counts of these cartridges, we recommend that the wiper blades be replaced.

13

Install the cleaned PCR. Place a small amount of conductive grease on the black PCR saddle. Remember, when using conductive grease, more is not better! Also place a small amount of white lithium grease on the white holder side. See Figure 18 step >

step >

Tech Zone

18

Clean the PCR with your standard PCR cleaner.

Install the drum, drum bushing assembly and screw. Make sure the gears from the bushing assembly align with the drive gear on the hopper.

19

Note the location of the spring that sits between the MRS holder and the hopper. Remove the two screws, spring and the holder.

step >

step >

15

step >

step >

step >

Note that there is not any type of sticky sealant on the wiper blade.

There is just normal foam and felt seals under the blade. Remove the wiper blade from the cartridge, and clean out the waste toner. Be careful not to damage the spring coming out from the black PCR holder. See figure 15

14

Place the waste chamber aside.

On the supply chamber, carefully pry off the Magnetic roller (MRS) cover, and remove. See Figure 21

21

Remove the MRS assembly.

The left (non-gear) bushings may come off with the roller. If they do not, remove them so they are not lost or damaged. See Figures 26 & 27 step >

step >

step >

Clean the felt and foam seals under the wiper blade. Make sure they are not compressed or they may leak. See Figure 16

16

20

17

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step >

step >

Install the wiper blade and two screws.

Be careful not to damage the small contact that comes off the PCR spring on the black holder side. See Figure 17

23

22

Remove the MRS drive gear. See Figure 22

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Tech Zone

step >

There are two separate mixing blades in the toner hopper. The largest is on the bottom, with the smallest on the top. Each is driven by its own separate drive gear.

28

step >

The upper mag roller section of the toner hopper “Floats” on a series of foam seals. The upper half can be removed from the hopper, but some of the seals will be destroyed. This may become necessary in order to seal the cartridge. We will keep you informed on the availability of a seal system and how to install it as our testing continues. The foam isolates the mag roller from the vibrations of the mixing augers, and allows smoother prints.

Clean the mag. roller with a dedicated mag roller cleaner.

On the left side of the mag roller there is a small hub that is keyed into the MRS holder. Align the hub with its slot and install the hub as well as the entire MRS assembly. step >

step >

Lift up on the clear scraper covers and remove the two Dr. Blade screws. Remove the two scrapers and the doctor blade. See Figure’s 28, 29 & 30

25

29

Remove the fill plug from the hopper.

See Figure 31

step >

Clean out all the remaining toner in the supply hopper.Note the magnetic seals on the MRS and the DB sealing foam. Make sure both are clean. See Figure 32

27

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Install the two doctor blade scrapers and screws. The clear scraper covers must sit on top of the roller. Installing them now will lessen the chance of damaging them or getting any grease on them. See Figure 39 step >

26

Install the doctor blade, be careful of the alignment pins. For now do NOT install the scrapers or screws. See Figure 35 step >

step >

step >

Clean the mag roller contacts, and replace the conductive grease. If the plating on the contact is worn they should be replaced or banding will most likely occur.

30

31

32

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Tech Zone

step >

Install the left side end cap onto the toner hopper. It is easier to install the end cap on the supply hopper first, install one screw and slide the waste chamber into the end cap. Install another screw from the end cap into the waste hopper to hold it in place.

step >

Install the keyed MRS cover.

Make sure that the keyed hole in the cover matches the keyed end of the magnet in the MRS assembly. Note that the post on the front or DB side is longer than the back post See Figures 44 & 45

36

38

Install the MRS drive gear. See Figure 43

step > step >

35

39

Install the right side end cap and 5 screws. See Figure 50

step >

Fill with appropriate amount of M4555 toner, replace the fill plug.

See Figures 46 & 47 step >

step >

Install the holder and spring.

Make sure that the spring is compressed so it fits into its slot. This is easily done with a small screwdriver as the holder is pressed in place. If you are having a hard time getting the holder in place, take a moment to look at the angles of the plastic holder. They have to align with the corresponding angles in the hopper for it to fit. Install the two screws.

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40

Install the remaining 3 screws on the left side end cap. See Figure 51

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Tech Zone

42

43

Replace the chip on the top of the cartridge. Replacing this chip will enable the toner low functions of both the cartridge and the machine again. See Figure 55

44

Install the plastic separator seal.

This seal keeps the two halves slightly separated relieving the pressure of the various foam and spring assemblies. step >

step >

Install the spring into the drum cover arm as shown. Pull the upper tail of the spring until it fits into the notch in the arm hub. See Figure 53

step >

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Install the arm onto the cartridge. Pull back all the way and release the spring from the notch so that the tail fits as shown.

step >

step >

Install the metal bars from the drum cover on both sides of the cartridge.

Place the bars in front of their slots and press in place with a small screwdriver. See Figure 52

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Repetitive defect chart: OPC drum:

94mm

Upper fuser sleeve:

94mm

Lower fuser pressure roller:

94mm

Cassette feed and separation rollers:

79mm

Tray 1 feed roller, separation roller:

79mm

Magnetic roller sleeve:

63mm

Tray one pickup roller:

63mm

Pre-registration roller:

50mm

Feed roller:

50mm

Transfer roller:

47mm

PCR:

37.7mm

Test pages from both the laser printers an MFP machines: Running the cleaning page From the HOME screen, touch the Device Maintenance button Open the following menu’s: Calibrate/Cleaning Cleaning Page Touch the Print button to run the page This process can take a few minutes to complete

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Running test pages From the HOME screen, touch the Administration button Open the following menu’s: Reports Configuration/Status pages Choose the Configuration page, Administration Menu map, Current Settings page or Status page, your choice.

Touch the Print button to run the report Printer error codes There are literally hundreds of error codes listed in the service manual on these machines. I have listed just the more common cartridge and paper jam codes here.

10.XX.YY Supply Memory Error: An error has occurred in one or more of the printers supplies. HP again call the chip a “memory tag” and the machine cannot communicate with one of them.

10.XX.33 Used Supply in use. (Chip not changed) 10.XX.40 Genuine HP Supplies installed 10.XX.41 Unsupported Supply in use. ( Wrong chip installed) 10.YY.35 Incompatible supply in use Error 13.XX.YY: All the error 13 codes deal with paper jams or a door open. There will always be a text message under the number code tell you where the jam is. These messages are very specific.

Recycling Times Magazine

Market Data

Printers recently released by major OEMs

Brands

Samsung

Samsung

Samsung

Printer code

ML - 2160

ML - 2165

ML - 2165W

Printer type

Mono laser printer

Mono laser printer

Mono laser printer

Country available in

UK, France, Russia, Singapore

UK, France, Russia,

UK, France, Russia,

Cartridge configuration

Black toner cartridge

Black toner cartridge

Black toner cartridge

Color of cartridges

Black

Black

Black

Number of cartridges

1

1

1

Cartridge code

MLT-D101S

MLT-D101S

MLT-D101S

Price of cartridges($)

£58.00 inc VAT

£58.00 inc VAT

£58.00 inc VAT

Price of printers($)

£79.99

£79.99

£99.99

Print resolution (dpi)(max)

1200×1200

1200×1200

1200×1200

Page yield A4/PCS

1500

1500

1500

Time to first page (s)

Black: 8.5

Black: 8.5

Black: 8.5

Print speed (ppm)

Black: 20

Black: 20

Black: 20

Monthly duty cycle (pages)

10,000

10,000

10,000

Media sizes supported (max)

A4

A4

A4

Paper tray capacity (pages)

150

150

150

Duplex printing

Manual

Manual

Manual

WIFI Connectivity

N/A

N/A

Y

Mobile printing capability

N/A

N/A

Y

Notes

Standard toner cartridge 1,500 standard pages comes with a toner cartridge for 700 pages)

Standard toner cartridge 1,500 standard pages comes with a toner cartridge for 700 pages

Standard toner cartridge 1,500 standard pages comes with a toner cartridge for 700 pages

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www.iRecyclingTimes.com | June 2012

Recycling Times Magazine

Market Data

Samsung

Samsung

Samsung

Samsung

ML-2167

ML-2168

ML-2168W

ML-3750ND

Mono laser printer

Mono laser printer

Mono laser printer

Mono laser printer

Russia

Russia, South Korea

Russia, South Korea

Russia, France, Brazil, Africa

Black toner cartridge

Black toner cartridge

Black toner cartridge

Black toner cartridge

Black

Black

Black

Black

1

1

1

1

MLT-D101S

MLT-D101S

MLT-D101S

MLT D305L

£58.00 inc VAT

£58.00 inc VAT

£58.00 inc VAT

N/A

N/A

£79.99

N/A

N/A

1200×1200

1200×1200

1200×1200

1200×1200

1500

1500

1500

Black: 25000 Color 15,000

Black: 8.5

Black: 8.5

Black: 8.5

Black: 6.5

Black: 20

Black: 20

Black: 20

Black: 35

10,000

10,000

10,000

80,000

A4

A4

A4

A4

150

150

150

250

Manual

Manual

Manual

Automatic

N/A

N/A

Y

Y

N/A

N/A

Y

Y

Standard toner cartridge 1,500 standard pages comes with a toner cartridge for 700 pages

Standard toner cartridge 1,500 standard pages comes with a toner cartridge for 700 pages

Average cartridge yield 1,500 standard pages (ships with 700 pages starter toner cartridge)

High yield 15K standard pages. (ships with 7,000 pages starter toner cartridge)

June 2012 | www.iRecyclingTimes.com

47

Recycling Times Magazine

Market Data

Printers recently released by major OEMs

Brands

Samsung

Samsung

Samsung

Printer code

CLX-9250ND

CLX-9350ND

SCX-3400

Printer type

Color laser all-in-one MFP

Color laser all-in-one MFP

Mono laser MFP

Country available in

Russia

Russia

France, Russia, South Africa

Cartridge configuration

4 individual toner cartridges

4 individual toner cartridges

Black toner cartridge

Color of cartridges

CMYK

CMYK

Black

Number of cartridges

4

4

1

Cartridge code

CLT-K606S, CLT-C607S, CLTM607S, CLT-Y607S

C LT- K 6 0 6 S , C LT- C 6 0 7 S , CLT-M607S, CLT-Y607S (HY catridges CLT-C606S, M606S, Y606S)

MLT-D101S

Price of cartridges($)

N/A

N/A

ÂŁ58.00 inc VAT

Price of printers($)

$10,802.00

$14,498.00

N/A

Print resolution (dpi)(max)

2400 x 600; 9600 x 600 (max)

2400 x 600; 9600 x 600 (max)

1200Ă—1200

Page yield A4/PCS

N/A

Black: 25,000 Color: 20,000

1500

Time to first page (s)

Black: 12.5 Color: 13.5

Black: 9.5 Color: 10.5

Black: 8.5

Print speed (ppm)

Black:25 Color: 25

Black:35 Color: 35

Black: 20

Monthly duty cycle (pages)

100,000

150,000

20,000

Media sizes supported (max)

A3

A3

A4

Paper tray capacity (pages)

1140

1140

150

Duplex printing

Automatic

Automatic

Manual

WIFI Connectivity

Y

Y

N/A

Mobile printing capability

Y

Y

N/A

Notes

Black cartridge yield: 25,000 pages CMY: 15,000 pages; image unit 75,000 pages; waste toner bottle 75,000 pages.

Black cartridge yield: 25,000 pages, CMY: 15,000 pages, 20,000 pages for high yield; image unit 75,000 pages; waste toner bottle 75,000 pages.

Average cartridge yield 1.500 standard pages (ships with 700 pages starter toner cartridge)

48

www.iRecyclingTimes.com | June 2012