Recycling Times Magazine
RecyclingTimes The magazine by the industry, for the industry.
editorial editorial www.visitremax.com.cn
Publisher & Managing Director Tony Lee tony@therecycler.com.cn
Director
Sabrina Lo sabrina@therecycler.com.cn
Editorial Editors Jessica Yin magazine@therecycler.com.cn Sophia Jiang editor@therecycler.com.cn Helen Chen remax@therecycler.com.cn
Translator Cherry Xu translator@therecycler.com.cn
Designer Adam Lin design@therecycler.com.cn
Web Designer Gonn Zeng web@therecycler.com.cn
Sales Sales Manager Anna Leung anna@therecycler.com.cn
Account Manager Kevin Zhu kevin@therecycler.com.cn
Sales Executives Joy He mktas@therecycler.com.cn Sally He sales@therecycler.com.cn
Operation and Marketing Operation Manager Charles Lee charles@therecycler.com.cn
Marketing Manager Morrow Miao morrow@therecycler.com.cn
Accounting Feng Li account@therecycler.com.cn
Published by
Recycler Publishing & Events (Zhuhai) Ltd.
Address
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pril has been an eventful month for the aftermarket printer supplies industry. PrintRite successfully acquired a major controlling stake in Shanghai based AEG Photoconductor Co., Ltd. from its German parent company AEG Elekrofotografie GmbH. Privately owned Golden Gate Capital acquired the majority of Clover Technologies and West Point Products. Media Sciences International Inc. entered into agreements to acquire Master Ink based in China. The aftermarket printer supplies industry showed strong growth during the last year despite the insecure economy capturing the attention of investors. In recent years, the remanufacture of laser printer cartridges has become increasingly significant again. More companies have pooled resources into the laser printer supplies, causing intense competition. The production of laser cartridges relies heavily on a consistent supply of parts and components. So, if a component supplier is financially strong, acquisition becomes a serious option. The remanufacturer can then control the key components as well as the cost structure. And they can also have direct input into product research and development. Rather than direct acquisition, some companies find joint R & D, or holding mutual shares are an alternative option to increase their competitive edge. Through such collective efforts, companies provide customers with better quality products resulting in better service. From April 23 to 24, the second successful North China Consumable Industry Forum and Expo (CIFEX) was held in Handan, the laser component manufacturing center in northern China. This event gained great support from the Handan municipal government and many companies in the industry. 52 exhibitors and 983 visitors attended the exhibition and 103 delegates joined the forum. During the show, a productive round-table meeting on the theme of “increasing communication and avoiding hostile competition” was held. Ideas and views were exchanged, and many suggestions were put forward for future development of the industry. I would like to thank all for supporting CIFEX 2010.
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RecyclingTimes
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Tony Lee Publisher & Managing Director All rights reserved. © 2010 by Recycler Publishing & Events (Zhuhai) Ltd. The contents are not be to copied or republished without official written consent. The editorial content does not represent official positions of Recycler Publishing & Events (Zhuhai) Ltd.
Recycling Times Magazine
contents contents
Print-Rite announces acquisition of APS Print-Rite has officially announced that it has acquired a major controlling stake in Shanghai based AEG Photoconductor Co., Ltd. (APS) from its German parent company AEG Eleckrofotografie GmbH.
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Industry Updates
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China’s energy efficiency for printers and fax machines was handed over for approval. The standard lists energy efficiency and grades for printers and fax machines, raising the “green” threshold within the printer market. How will the standard change the structure of printer market in China?
Cartridge World booming Media Sciences to acquire Master Ink in HK HP and Print-Rite settle inkjet patent issues MMC pools $ 8m for new facilities Ink All-You-Can aggressive to sell
No autumn fruit without spring blossom
Static Control headlines Zhuhai industry conference on remanufacturing technology and market development
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Dell and NextLife offer remanufactured ink cartridges
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Re-feel franchise stores flourishing in India
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A new chapter to energy conserving standard for printers
Print-Rite announces acquisition of APS
In the last 37 years, Everlight Chemical Industrial Corporation has weathered a lot. However, the more steps it makes, the more steadily it walks. It provides added value, low energy consumption and low contamination high-tech chemicals to the world. Everlight’s products are popular in more than 80 countries worldwide.
Sinotron thinks that one stop solution is needed in consumable industry
Features
Van Klaveren ccc management board expands Section 337 investigation on HP 02 inkjet cartridges case sails Static Control View-on-Demand webinar series
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Apex adds ASIC chips for Kodak EasyShare series machines
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Wuhan Pointrole releases Panasonic KX-MB series toner FGIC releases comprehensive system solution for remanufactured Xerox 4510
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Hi & Bestech extends AURORA chips
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Brother establishes sales company in Korea
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Fuji Xerox completes construction of R&D Square
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HP to launch online printing on demand
Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific launches online resource hub
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No autumn fruit without spring blossom ——Interviewing Everlight Chemical Industrial Corp.
Legal Issues
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Case analysis on patent application strategy (part 2)
Tech Zone
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Xerox opens R&D center in Chennai
HP to open new design centre in Singapore
Holding a product release conference
Profiles
OCP introduces new grey ink for Canon PGI-520/CLI-521 cartridges
OEM news
A new chapter to energy conserving standard for printers in China
Showcase
Product Release
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Printer supplies on the green path
Remanufacturing the Konica Minolta Magicolor 1600W black and color toner cartridges
Market Data
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Printer information
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Recycling Times Magazine
Industry updates
Print-Rite announces acquisition of APS
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rint-Rite has officially announced that it has acquired a major controlling stake in Shanghai based AEG Photoconductor Co. Ltd (APS) from its German parent company AEG Elekrofotografie GmbH. The deal took place in December 2009, but all companies concerned agreed not to disclose any further information until such time as the deal got approval from government officials in Shanghai. APS manufactures Organic Photoconductor (OPC) drums for use in laser toner cartridges, and produces more than 80 models across leading brands. Previously Print-Rite had relied on third parties for its OPC drums, but will now have direct control.
“Following this acquisition, PrintRite Group will be the only printing consumables manufacturer who possesses the production capabilities for all major components and parts in laser toner cartridges,” said Print-Rite. “This transaction brings a whole new competitive edge to Print-Rite as it is now able to have control of the complete production process of laser toner cartridges.” APS ‘s production facilities are currently being relocated to a new, larger site anticipating expanded R&D capabilities and upgraded technology. Print-Rite has also said it will continue to work with Elektrofotografie.
Cartridge World booming
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he Cartridge World franchise, founded in Australia, now has over 1,700 shops worldwide. After making its debut in the United States in 2002, there are now over 650 stores today. In Britain, the retailer Cartridge World is to open three North West stores this month as it continues to post big like-for-like sales increases. The chain is to begin trading from sites in Shaw, near Oldham, Burnley and Liverpool to add to the 42 outlets already operating in the region. The group today announced a 12 per cent hike in like-for-like revenues during the final quarter of 2009 and plans for a new Business Direct service for corporate clients, offering free collection and deliver y and flexible credit. Adam Davison, the retailer ’s business development manager for the North West, said: “Independent research has shown that the single biggest complaint most businesses
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have against their printers and all-in-ones is the cost of consumables. Cartridge World does more than just refill ink or toner cartridges. For inkjet cartridges, by using a special electronic scanner, every cartridge dropped-off is tested. If the cartridge is electronically sound it goes through a three stage cleaning process, using zero water, in a contaminant-free environment. During this process the 300 firing nozzles — each is only 4 microns wide — are cleaned. Once the
cartridge is restored it is refilled, resealed, labeled and put into stock. The inks are water-based and meet or exceed the original equipment manufacturer’s specifications. Using a refilled cartridge cannot, by law, void a printer’s warranty. If the cartridge does not pass the electronic test, the cartridge goes no further. It is sent to recycling. The screaning procedures are very strict. C a r t r i d g e Wo r l d i s a m e m b e r o f t h e Environmental Protection Agency Waste Wise program. Cartridge World also offers a service called Business Direct which includes business to business services, one for one exchanges, online ordering and next day delivery. “While hardware prices typically continue to fall, the cost of printer cartridges continues to rise. We feel that the launch of Cartridge World Business Direct is a ver y timely solution which will help businesses of all sizes”, said Davison.
Recycling Times Magazine
Industry updates
Media Sciences to acquire Master Ink in HK Media Sciences International, Inc. entered into agreements to acquire Master Ink Company, Ltd., a China based manufacturer of toner cartridges, inkjet printer cartridges, inkjet refill kits and patented, next generation automatic ink refill systems. The agreement with Master Ink Company, Ltd. and its affiliates is to acquire substantially all of Master Ink's assets including its People's Republic of China based manufacturing facility.
Consideration for the acquisition includes $1.15 million in cash ($250,000 due at closing, the balance with accrued interest due on the second anniversary of the closing), a 10% override on Master Ink revenues until the note is repaid and one million shares of Media Sciences International common stock. The Company expects the acquisition to be accretive to its earnings in the first quarter following the close. Closing is expected to occur in early summer. Media Sciences' President and CEO Michael Levin commented, "This is a transformative acquisition for Media Sciences as it provides the Company with many strategic benefits that significantly increase our competitiveness. Specifically, the acquisition provides us with the lower cost manufacturing platform we have been seeking to develop, while increasing our ability to control quality and our intellectual property. In addition, we expect the acquisition to accelerate our time to market and increase our rate of new product development, while reducing new product capital expenditures. The acquisition provides the Company with the control and cost structure to develop more products more quickly, build quality into products instead of checking it after a product has been built, better manage our inventories, be more flexible to meet changing customer demands, pursue markets that have been
otherwise impractical, and regain the operating leverage and cash generation that are inherent in this recurring business of printer supplies." The acquisition provides the Company with the control and cost structure to develop more products more quickly, build quality into products instead of checking it after a product has been built, better manage our inventories, be more flexible to meet changing customer demands, pursue markets that have been otherwise impractical, and regain the operating leverage and cash generation that are inherent in this recurring business of printer supplies. Mr. Levin continued, "We have been working with Master Ink to develop tooling for a broad range of Media Sciences' toner based products and as a result, upon closing we expect to enjoy an immediate reduction in the cost of our existing toner based product line. We are confident this acquisition will significantly improve our business model, and we look forward to concluding the acquisition in the coming months." The Company will include a discussion of the acquisition in its quarterly earnings conference call to be held on May 14, 2010.
acquisition. Master Ink has about 140 employees and owns a private brand named “Acujet�. Master Ink is a private label manufacturer for several other well known inkjet cartridge & refill brands. Besides, it also manufacture directly for large retailers around the world. In 2001 Master Ink received HKQAA ISO 911 Certification for Quality Manufacturing & Management Systems. About Media Sciences Media Sciences International, Inc. is the leading independent manufacturer of new build solid ink and color toner cartridges for office color printers. As the premium quality color toner and solid ink alternative to the printer manufacturer's brand, Media Sciences manufactures color toner and solid ink products for use in Dell, Konica Minolta, OKI, Ricoh, Samsung, and Xerox and many other color printers.
About Master Ink Master Ink Co., Ltd is a manufacturer of toner cartridges, inkjet refill kits and inkjet cartridges for postage machines. The revenue is approximately US$3 million before
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Recycling Times Magazine
Industry updates
HP and Print-Rite settle inkjet patent issues
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ewlett-Packard Corporation (HP) has declared that it has reached a settlement with Hong Kong-based Print-Rite Holdings Ltd. (Print-Rite) relating to HP 02 inkjet cartridges. In accordance with the ter ms of the settlement, Print-Rite acknowledges that HP's patents are valid and in effect. In consideration of the parties' mutual respect for intellectual property, Print-Rite also has agreed to withdraw the products involved in the dispute from the United States and other countries with corresponding patent filings. "We are pleased with this amicable settlement, which serves as a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to protecting HP's investments in intellectual property," said Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, Inkjet and Web Services Business, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. Later in April, Print-Rite also commented on the settlement. According to the spokesperson of Print-Rite, an agreement has been reached between HP and Print-Rite Holdings Ltd., under which Print-Rite has committed to preventing unauthorized shipments of compatible HP 02 inkjet cartridges into the U.S. and several other countries in which HP has patents on the HP 02s, specifically Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, India, Mexico and the
United Kingdom. Apart from those countries, the agreement will have no effect upon Print-Rite's sales of HP 02 compatible inkjet cartridges. Recycling Times learns that Print-Rite is also pleased to have reached this agreement. But Print-Rite clarifies that it has always fully adhered to a self-imposed policy of not shipping HP 02 compatibles into the U.S. It was only because an unknown third party apparently did ship Print-Rite’s compatible HP 02s into the U.S. without the company’s knowledge or consent, that it became necessar y to address this issue and the agreement was reached through brief and
entirely amicable discussions. This agreement formalizes Print-Rite's longstanding policy of supporting intellectual property rights, and preserves the respectful relationship that exists between HP and Print-Rite by establishing a basis upon which the two companies can work together to assure compliance by third parties. In March, HP settled similar patent disputes with three other tech companies. HP is also working to settle a number of other complaints involving other companies that sell similar types of inkjet cartridges. These ink cartridge patent disputes stem from a complaint HP lodged with the United States International Trade Commission in September.
MMC pools $ 8m for new facilities
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s one of the subsidiaries of Gree Group, which ranks one of the top 100 corporations in China, Magnetic Electric Co., Ltd., Zhuhai Gree (MMC) successfully obtained the further investment of eight million dollars from its mother company Gree Group for new factory facilities. The new MMC workplace will features five buildings, each with four stories. The total factory size will boast a space four times bigger than the current facilities. The investment aims to build MMC into a better established production base to
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provide sustainable, superb quality and service to its international clients and distributors. Established in 1986, MMC is one of the earliest and largest manufacturers of printer
consumables in China, producing inkjet and toner cartridges for printers by Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson, HP, Lexmark, Samsung and Xerox etc. MMC also manufactures ribbon cartridges, nylons, and refill kits. MMC has been an IS O 9001 certified manufacturer since 1999. The toner cartridges are certified by STMC and guaranteed by ISO 19752. For more information, visit the website www. mmcinkjet.com or www.globalsources.com/ greeme.co, email to mmc@mmcinkjet.com or call +86 (0)756 886 1223.
Recycling Times Magazine
Industry updates
Ink All-You-Can aggressive to sell
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rom having just one store in 2006, Ink All-You-Can now manages over 15 branches in Metro Manila; most of its branches are situated in SM Supermalls. The company is one of the leaders in providing alternative inks in the Philippines today. The priority of the brand is to present an affordable printing solution without sacrificing quality. With the current economic situation, Ink All-You-Can’s main goal is to help homes, businesses and companies to save significant amount of money spent on printing costs. For many years now, Ink All-You-Can is one of the household names that has been tried and tested by thousands of Filipino customers and is continually attracting more with their high quality ink and dependable customer service.
Managed by Filipino-owned SimpleLife Technologies, Inc., Ink All-You-Can has three main products namely: a) the Ink All-YouCan System, popularly known as Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS), that offers up to 96% savings compared to original inks; b) the Ink Refilling service that offers up to 70% savings; and c) the Ink All-You-Can Toners and Cartridges, that offer up to 40% savings. Go Unlimited Campaign Living up to its promise, Ink All-You-Can is the pioneer and only brand in the market that offers unlimited ink refills*. With Ink All-YouCan, customers can now benefit from having unlimited printings and unlimited savings. Starting February 2010, customers can enjoy
unlimited ink refills* in selected Ink All-YouCan branches in the Metro. (*conditions apply) Free Inkjet and Laser Printers Ink All-You-Can is taking the industry by storm as it gives away free printers to offices and homes that come with a complete 2-year on-site warranty. By purchasing the printer consumables from Ink All-You-Can, customers can take advantage of the free printer package. It’s a new way of printing all you want minus the hassle of high costs of original ink cartridges and printer warranty maintenance. As the company says it, “It’s like outsourcing your Information Technology to us.” For added information visit www.ink.com.ph.
Static Control headlines Zhuhai industry conference on remanufacturing technology and market development
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tatic Control outlined trends in electrophotographic imaging technology as well as intellectual property law during a conference in Zhuhai, China, whose members represent one of the most vibrant emerging markets in the worldwide remanufacturing industry. John Zhang, Static Control’s senior sales manager in China, addressed the conference March 26 in the city of Zhuhai, in China’s Guangdong province, during the first quarterly meeting of the Zhuhai Printing Consumable Industry Association. Conference organizers said attendance doubled their expectations. “We can not overstate the importance of China and Southeast Asia,” Zhang said. “We’ve been committed to helping remanufacturers develop their market in China for the past 15 years now, and we intend to keep our customers at the forefront of technology and business trends as they develop.” Zhang introduced the company’s newly
launched View-on-Demand Webinar program, a multilingual online training and communications series offered exclusively to Static Control customers. The program lets customers select from among hundreds of detailed technical videos, translated into Mandarin for the Chinese market, through the company’s password protected website. The conference was organized to encourage new business and market development and to
provide the most current information on new products, materials and technologies. Much of the conference’s attention focused on microchip and color laser technology. With aid and direction from the Chinese government, the Zhuhai Printing Consumable Industry Association is working to reduce sourcing and marketing cost, accelerate new products to market and develop its remanufacturing industry.
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Recycling Times Magazine
Industry updates
Dell and NextLife offer remanufactured ink cartridges
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extLife will join one of its “partners in sustainability,” Dell, in announcing NextLife Ink by Dell, one of the sustainable printer ink cartridges available in the marketplace today. It is worth noticing that a notable OEM like Dell has partnered with green branding and marketing firm NextLife to offer NextLife remanufactured ink cartridges. This unique product showcases the depth and breadth of NextLife’s sustainability solutions and expertise in the green marketplace, including the debut of its proprietary “Environmental Facts” label (soon to be as ubiquitous as the FDA’s “Nutrition Facts” and “Drug Facts” labels). According to NextLife, NextLife Ink cartridges, on average, have a 30% lower carbon footprint than newly manufactured cartridges and a higher percentage of recycled content than competitors: 43% - 62% of the product is reclaimed material – far and away the highest
such reuse in the industry. The NextLife Ink packaging is comprised of 50% post-consumer waste and is 100% recyclable. We know that more and more empty printer ink cartridges are being cleaned, inspected, refilled, and reincarnated as remanufactured ink cartridges. These recycled cartridges help reduce solid waste, and they’re more affordable than they were when they were new. But it’s not the big printer and ink OEMs like HP, Canon, Epson and Lexmark that make and sell remanufactured cartridges. It’s independent companies that undercut the high-priced OEM ink and toner cartridges. However, Dell is selling remanufactured ink cartridges for HP, Canon, Epson and Lexmark printers, but not for Dell printers. An expert from Internet-Ink thinks that it makes sense because the economic outlook is good for remanufactured cartridges, eco-friendliness is in vogue, and Dell is undercutting its competitors without
undercutting its own OEM ink cartridges. Dell says that studies have shown using NextLife Ink, consumers will get more and pay less; up to 20% more pages per cartridge and a saving of up to 20% compared to branded ink cartridges. NextLife Ink by Dell printer cartridges will be available for about 70% of the most popular inkjet printers in use today through Dell.com immediately and through several major retail outlets starting in Spring 2010. For more information, please go to www.dell. com.
Sinotron thinks that one stop solution is needed in consumable industry
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o d a y ’ s c o n s u m ab l e i n d u s tr y i s beginning more competitive. More companies boasted themselves as a company who can provide “one stop solution”. Are there any challenges and requirements of introducing a company to provide one stop solution? According to Chris Lee, CEO of Sinotron
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United Pte Ltd, “Being a player in consumables industry requires a global infrastructure and the capability to understand customers before they are adopting a “one stop solution” strategy. It is no longer a matter of just giving a customer best prices or services but a company has to be able to combine its innovation, business sense and expertise to optimize your company’s one stop solution strategy.” It is indeed a major task for the companies in all industry to make this strategy works. At Sinotron, in order to provide “one stop solution” for our customers, there are several important requirements to make it works: • Ability to understand what customer wants so that
we can provide the right solutions; • The right quality products at the right prices; • Full ranges of products and services offered to customers; • Ability to fulfill customer requirements; • Continuing of supply; • Be flexible enough to provide new solutions when it needs to change. Sinotron thinks that although different companies have different requirements, the requirements above are perfect check lists in making one-stop solution strategy works. About DEMONTEC DEMONTEC is Sinotron in-house brand, supplying of different types consumables for photocopiers, printers, and fax machines. Our company supplies high quality of products internationally.
Recycling Times Magazine
Industry updates
Re-feel franchise stores flourishing in India
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ith biodegradable cartridges gaining momentum, backed by an environment-conscious consumer base sweeping the market since 2007, Re-feel, in its endeavor to crack open the 'green' segment, has opened 107 franchise stores across 77 locations in India. The company is also planning to open 250
stores by 2011 and may venture into direct marketing at consumer level. The Kolkata-based manufacturer, in a bid to revolutionize the recycling industry, has claimed to have saved over 4.5 lakh cartridges from going into landfills. “At Re-feel, we use a nine-step scientific refilling process that starts from collecting empty inkjet cartridges, manual inspection, electronic inspection, flushing out old ink, ink filling, manual test, print test, packaging and delivery,” said Samit Lakhotia, Director of Business Development at Refeel Cartridge Engineering. Fu r t h e r, t h e c o m p a n y declared that the present size of the cartridge market
is estimated at Rs 3,000 crore of rupees (about $678 million) where Re-feel holds a share of 35 percent in the ‘organized refillers’ segment. The company started off with a warehouse in Kolkata and then ventured into Mumbai. Now, the company is considering plans to set up warehouses in Delhi and Bengaluru. “At Re-feel, we always try and give highquality toner or ink. Hence the re-manufactured cartridges contain high-quality components that give excellent printing results. More than five million companies around the world already rely on these quality products for their daily printing needs as well as for their most important projects,” Lakhotia concluded. Company sources have said that Re-feel is currently exploring the possibilities of releasing other 'green' products but are yet to finalize the portfolio.
Van Klaveren ccc management board expands
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he management board of Van Klaveren ccc, a company that operates on the European market collecting empty cartridges and old mobile phones, has expanded. On 1st April 2010, Gerhard van Klaveren, General Manager, appointed Lennart Zernitz and Arjan Oonk board members. Lennart Zernitz (29) has been appointed Commercial Manager. He will be responsible for commercial and operational affairs. Lennart has been working at Van Klaveren ccc for more than 10 years now, fulfilling various (purchasing and sales) positions. As such, he has an extensive knowledge of the company and the market. Arjan Oonk (41) has been working at Van Klaveren ccc since 2000. He started out in the accounts department and ultimately found himself keeping all of the accounts. From 2006, Arjan worked as a controller and currently fulfils the position of Financial Manager. Gerhard van Klaveren, General Manager: "The growth of Van Klaveren has generated a strong
demand for continued professionalisation at our company. Together with Lennart Zernitz, Commercial Manager, and Arjan Oonk, Financial Manager, I want to add more structure to the organisation. This should in the short term lead to an ISO certificate, continued growth abroad and cost-saving activities. We have made the first step by moving into our new premises at Bremenweg 25-27 in Deventer, where we have more opportunities of realising that growth." About Van Klaveren ccc Van Klaveren ccc has more than 16 years of experience in collecting empty cartridges and used mobile phones. Old cartridges and mobile phones still have a monetary value. This money also enables us to support charities. Van Klaveren currently works together with Stichting AAP, Hulphond, WWF and a number of other charities. At Van Klaveren, sustainable business practice and care for the environment are
of paramount importance. Over the past year, it 'rescued' more than 600 sea containers from the rubbish tip! Visit www.eeko.nl or www.total-collect.nl for more information.
▲ L. Zernitz (left), G. van Klaveren (middle) A.Oonk (right) Board Van Klaveren CCC
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Recycling Times Magazine
Industry updates
Section 337 investigation on HP 02 inkjet cartridges case sails
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he U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to instigate an investigation of certain inkjet ink cartridges with printheads and components. The products at issue in this investigation are inkjet printer cartridges. The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Hewlett Packard Company of Palo Alto, CA, on March 5, 2010. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain inkjet ink cartridges with printheads and components that infringe patents asserted by Hewlett Packard. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders. • The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation: • MicroJet Technology Co., Ltd., of Taiwan; • Mipo Technology Limited of Hong Kong; • Mipo Science & Technology Co., Ltd., of China;
• Mextec d/b/a Mipo America Ltd. of Miami, FL; • SinoTime Technologies, Inc. d/b/a All Colors of Miami, FL; • PTC Holdings Limited of Hong Kong. By commencing this investigation (337TA-711), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC's six administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission. The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial
orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
Static Control View-on-Demand webinar series
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maging and aftermarket technology pioneer Static Control has launched a landmark internet-based training and communications program that gives its worldwide family of customers an exclusive and unprecedented competitive advantage. The company’s View-on-Demand Webinar
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series provides 24/7-access to a continually growing catalogue of high-production value, 30-minute video training programs that are technically detailed, timely and multilingual. Available and free of charge only to Static Control customers, View-on-Demand Webinars can be viewed anytime, anywhere through the company’s passwordprotected website. “ We ’ v e k n o w n f o r some time now that it’s not enough to simply manufacture and sell highquality, technologically advanced components,” said Ed Swartz, Founder, President and CEO of Static Control. “We must understand completely how these components perform
together in a complete electro-photographic system. We need to ensure our customers have immediate access to that ever-changing knowledge. If we do that, give them the best tools to compete and to succeed, then we ensure our own success. For that, education is fundamental. Our unique View-on-Demand Webinar program is unlike anything the industry has seen; this changes everything.” Static Control will offer some 3,000 Viewon-Demand Webinars by 2011 in more than 20 languages worldwide, covering technical remanufacturing instructions, product updates and executive-level industry analyses that provide broad market intelligence and insight as well as late-breaking information about immediate opportunities in specific markets. The company designed the program for easy access and flexibility, to be “as simple as watching TV.”
Recycling Times Magazine
Product Release
Apex adds ASIC chips for Kodak EasyShare series machines
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pex Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (Apex) has announced many series ASIC chips for Kodak EasyShare5100/5300/5500 and ESP3/5/7/9/3250/5250 series printers. As Lexmark upgrades the firmware for printers, many compatible chips made by remanufacturers do not work with the printers when the chips are installed on the machines. To improve this situation, Apex has applied ASIC design and totally changed the emulation design which is based on Microcontroller Unit. The new ASIC chips have full functionality with
the upgraded firmware and their performance has also been improved. Kodak EasyShare5100/5300/5500 and ESP3/5/7/9/3250/5250 series printers were introduced to the market in 2007. The two printers feature multifunctionality, fast speeds, high printing quality and price/performance ratio. However, they have also challenged the quality of compatible chips. The Apex chip is not only compatible perfectly with the Kodak machines but also enjoys full functionality with OEM chips. Moreover, the new chip offers remanufacturers a recycling solution package.
Apex tells us that it is the only manufacturer in the world to offer compatible replacement chips for all Kodak printers. The chips made by Apex also cover brands such as Lexmark, Kodak, Dell, Minolta and Epson. According to Apex, it is the first manufacturer to release this series of emulation chips. Apex also says that its chips have the most extensive coverage on all the brands. For more information about Apex chips, please go to www.apexmic.com or call +86 0756 3333768.
Wuhan Pointrole releases Panasonic KX-MB series toner
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n June 4, 2010, Wuhan Pointrole Information Technology Co., Ltd ( Wuhan Pointrole) will release a toner (Part No. FX-FAT94E) for Panasonic KX-MB 228/238/258/778/788 series laser multifunctional printer. Wuhan Pointrole says that this toner is compatible with all the Panasonic KX-MB 228/238/258/778/788 models. “The printing density is optimal and the grey scale is perfect. The printing quality is excellent“, said Wuhan Pointrole. According to the company, it has always adhered to the concept of “Stability is the
best” and striven for new toners with better compatibility to meet the demands of the customers. In order to combat counterfeit products, Wuhan Pointrole points out that consumers should take steps to identify genuine Wuhan Pointrole toner products. Every product bears the words “Wuhan Pointrole” and logo exclusively used by Wuhan Pointrole in the outer package. To provide a more convenient service for the consumers, Wuhan Pointrole has named a general distributor in
South China, Guangzhou Yigou Office Supplies Co., Ltd. Contact Mr. Lee at 13631338851.
FGIC releases comprehensive system solution for remanufactured Xerox 4510
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uture Graphics Imaging has released a Comprehensive System Solution for the Xerox Phaser 4510 remanufactured cartridge. The comprehensive solution, qualified at FGIC’s development facility, consists of an MK Imaging OPC, MK Imaging toner, chip, wiper blade and doctor blade.
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The Xerox Phaser 4510 is based on the same engine as the 4500. Some key differences between the two include increased ppm (45 ppm 4510; 36 ppm 4500); increased yield (19,000 pages 4510; 18,000 pages 4500) and a lower CPP (1.2 cents 4510; 1.4 cents 4500). All products for the Xerox 4510 are in stock now and ship from convenient locations all over
the globe. Remanufacturing instructions are available to download on fgimaging.com.
Contact Future Graphics Imaging Corp Toll Free: 800-394-9900 Visit: www.fgimaging.com
Recycling Times Magazine
Product Release
Hi & Bestech extends AURORA chips
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i & Bestech Company has announced the arrival of a replacement chip for the AURORA developer roller assembly. This chip works for AURORA model ADC358. The two new chips and their working models are listed as follows. Brand AURORA AURORA AURORA AURORA
Type ADC358 ADC358 ADC358 ADC358
Color Cyan Black Magenta Yellow
According to Hi & Bestech, AURORA model ADC358 is a newly color multifunctional digital machine. The equipment prints with the same
speed on both color and monochrome models at 35 ppm. The functions include color print, scan, fax and duplex print. The two models are highly productive with the design concept of innovation, smart manufacturing technology and user orientation. “As the leader of chip solutions in the industry, our team is composed of qualified Yield engineers with more than 20 years’ 90,000 experience on ASIC chip desigh, 120,000 90,000 reverse engineering and cost90,000 effective production. Our chips are full emulation with 100% fuctionality but unique circuit and firmware from OEM chips for intellectual Property protection. Our R & D team develops
according to the demand of the market and brings profit for remanufacturers. As early as Auguest 2009, we released chips for Konica Minolta MFPs such as C353/C253 and C200 series. Now we are happy to present replacement chips for AURORA ADC358” says Mr. Hui, sales director of Hi & Bestech Company. The company manufacturers many chips covering many models including HP, Samsung, Xerox, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, OKI and all AURORA office printers. For more information about the chips, go to the website of Hi & Bestech Company (Taiwan) at www.tonerchips.com.
OCP introduces new grey ink for Canon PGI-520/CLI-521 cartridges
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anon has released the PGI-520 and CLI521 cartridges as a new generation of inkjet cartridges. These are the direct successors of the PGI-5 and CLI-8 cartridges. The system consists of a 5 color single ink tank printing system with pigmented black for test printing and photo black, cyan, yellow and magenta ink for photo printing. Additionally Printer Canon Pixma iP3600， iP4600，MP540，MP550， MP560， MP620，MP630，MP640， MP980，MX860 Pixma MP990 Printer Canon Pixma iP3600， iP4600，MP540， MP620，MP630，MP980， MX860 Pixma MP990 Printer Canon Pixma iP3680，iP4680， MP545，MP 548， MP628， MP638，MP648，MP988， MX868 Pixma MP988，MP996
some of the new Canon MFPs have a cartridge with dye-based grey ink to achieve a grey ink to achieve good printing results also with grey scale printouts. To complete the range of OCP inks for these cartridges, OPC’s research and development department has released a grey ink for use in the CLI-521GY, CLI-221GY and CLI-821GY cartridges Region Europe Africa Oceania
Region
Americas
Region
Asia
with compatible properties in comparison with the OEM. The complete list of product codes of the suitable OCP inks for these cartridges is shown below: For more information, please go to the OCPChina website www.ocp-china.com. You can also contact by calling +86 0571-88130291/88130292 or e-mailing to sales@ocp-china.com.
OEM cartridge PGI-520BK CLI-521BK CLI-521C CLI-521M
Type Black Pigment Photo Black Dye Cyan Magenta
OCP Ink(s) BKP 44 BK 124 C 144 M 144
CLI-521Y
Yellow
Y 144
CLI-521GY
Grey
BK123
OEM cartridge PGI-220BK CLI-221BK CLI-221C CLI-221M CLI-221Y CLI-221GY
Type Black Pigment Photo Black Dye Cyan Magenta Yellow Grey
OCP Ink(s) BKP 44 BK 124 C 144 M 144 Y 144 BK123
OEM cartridge PGI-820BK CLI-821BK CLI-821C CLI-821M CLI-821Y CLI-821GY
Type Black Pigment Photo Black Dye Cyan Magenta Yellow Grey
OCP Ink(s) BKP 44 BK 124 C 144 M 144 Y 144 BK123
www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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OEM news
Brother establishes sales company in Korea
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rother Industries, Ltd. (President, Toshikazu Koike) announced that it has established a new sales company "Brother International Korea Co, Ltd." in Seoul, Republic of Korea to conduct sales of Brother products in Korea. With the establishment of a local subsidiary, Brother hopes to enhance its sales and ser vice activities and push forward sales of Brother's communication and printing devices in Korea. Korea, one of the leading economic countries in the Asian region, is an important market which has been showing the steady growth in terms of sales of communications and printing devices such as printers and multifunction printers. So far, the Brother Group has sold communications and
printing devices through dealers in Korea. With this establishment of a new subsidiary in Korea, where further steady economic Company Name: Location: Representative: Capital:
growth is expected, Brother will continue to make efforts to strengthen sales and marketing service activities to expand sales.
Brother International Korea Co., Ltd. 2F, Changwoo bldg. 553 Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Korea 135-270 Shingo Sekiya 3,000 Million KR Won 100% from Brother International Corporation (*)
Business Description:
Sales and customer services of communications and printing devices
No. of Employees:
6
Date of Incorporation:
12-Oct-09
Operational Launch:
April 1, 2010 (Scheduled) ▲ Outline of the New Sales Company
Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific launches online resource hub
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uji Xerox has launched Fuji Xerox TransPromo and one-to-one Direct Marketing, an online resource hub for direct marketing professionals and service providers. Located at www.fujixerox-transpromo. com and free to use, the community website is targeted at practitioners of one-to-one marketing and TransPromo communications. An increasingly popular innovation in direct marketing, TransPromo involves embedding relevant targeted advertising or promotional messages into the white spaces of transactional documents (statements, invoices, bills, policies, etc.). "The discipline of direct marketing is everevolving and practitioners need to constantly retool themselves. Using the resources available at Fuji Xerox TransPromo, they can now discover, learn and experience new approaches for communicating with their customers, planning targeted campaigns and
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initiatives, improving operational and cost efficiency, and growing the business," said Helene Blanchette, Go-to-Market Strategy Manager at the International Business Group, Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific. A m o n g t h e r e s o u r c e s a t Fu j i X e r o x TransPromo you can find an online assessment tool that marketers can use to gauge their organization's preparedness for adopting the TransPromo marketing approach and a dragand-drop simulator for generating TransPromo documents using customer attributes (gender, marital status, etc.). Another, exclusive to service provider clients of Fuji Xerox and Xerox, is a promo space calculator. This helps users analyze the value of and production costs related to the available TransPromo white space dedicated to advertisements on an invoice, statement or other transactional document. The website also features compelling case studies of customers who have successfully applied one-to-one or
TransPromo marketing. Tangible results are shared for numerous industries in the world, including cases in Asia Pacific. Also available at Fuji-Xerox TransPromo is Profit Quick DM ROI Planner, a downloadable direct marketing planner that marketers and service providers can use to compare campaigns and evaluate risk, and to project and demonstrate the complete ROI of a direct marketing campaign or program. Available in six languages - English, Korean, Thai, Japanese, simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese - DM ROI Planner has already been deployed by Fuji Xerox operating companies and is now in use in more than 160 countries. A soft launch of the website saw the DM ROI Planner being downloaded by more than 500 corporations, advertising and creative agencies, and other service providers from Australia, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries during a four-week period.
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OEM news
Fuji Xerox completes construction of R&D Square
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uji Xerox Co., Ltd. has completed the construction of Fuji Xerox R&D Square at Section 65, Minato Mirai 21 in Yokohama City, Kanagawa. The company will commence operations at the new center in April. Fuji Xerox R&D Square aims to create new value for customers from their perspective, forming urban dynamism as well as a global network by taking advantage of its location in the cosmopolitan city of Yokohama. At the new center, Fuji Xerox will build a new structure that enables: (1) undertaking high-quality collaborative innovation with its customers, partners as well as industry, government and academia; (2) identifying quickly the challenges customers are facing; and, (3) enhancing the values it provides to its customers by practicing them internally. Specifically, the company interacts and discusses with its clients, reproduces their environment and evaluates required functions, as well as verifies hypotheses. A space on the third floor, in front of the entry to the offices, is where key collaboration with customers will take place. Fuji Xerox will identify their business challenges, develop innovative ideas for solutions, and verify these solutions' effectiveness and marketability. The new center will strengthen ties between customers and Fuji Xerox's R&D departments, ultimately leading to a swift fulfillment of market needs. On opening this new center, Fuji Xerox will centralize existing R&D sites dispersed across several locations into two locations; Fuji Xerox R&D Square and its Ebina Center. The Ebina Center will continue to be a key manufacturing R&D site, focusing on manufacturing technologies. Following this move, the company aims to reinforce collaboration in various functions that transcends the boundaries of technological fields, which will not only shorten product development lead time but also boost cost efficiency in R&D. For more information, please go to Fuji Xerox’s website.
Xerox opens R&D center in Chennai
X
erox Corp. has opened a new research facility in Chennai, India. Dubbed the Xerox India Innovation Hub, the facility will focus on developing document management products that “are relevant to emerging market countries and contribute innovation to solutions and service delivery.” “The Xerox India Innovation Hub exemplifies our continued commitment to customers in the emerging markets,” said Sophie Vandebroek, Xerox chief technology officer and president of the Xerox Innovation Group. “Creating a research facility in India allows us to make use of local knowledge and to extend that expertise to our global initiatives.” According to Xerox, the India Hub will enable the company to expand and build on the strong partnerships it already has in place with India’s top technical and business schools. Research will use Xerox’s expertise in imaging, data mining, smart document management, linguistics, and ethnography with the latest technologies and trends such as cloud and web computing, human computation, social networks and computational economics. “Open Innovation is at the core of how we conduct research not only at the Xerox India Innovation Hub, but also at Xerox research centers around the world,” said Meera Sampath, director of the Xerox India Innovation Hub. “Linking the talent in India with Xerox’s 500 scientists at our centers in the U.S., Canada and France will allow us to leverage the power of truly global innovation networks and engage in cutting-edge research to create unique value for our customers around the world.” Some of the ongoing research projects include: • Multiscale Document Services – Xerox will partner with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to use on-demand cloud computing to improve efficiency and economics of document services delivery. • Distributed Workflow Applications – In partnership with IIT Madras’s Rural Technology Business Incubator, Xerox is developing innovative solutions to improve workflow at small technology-based businesses in rural India. • Incentive Compatible Machine Learning for Services – In conjunction with the Indian Institute of Science, this project focuses on how machine learning and game theory principles can be combined to improve the performance of online service marketplaces. In addition to the hub, Xerox plans to open a Xerox technology showroom adjacent to its India headquarters near Delhi later this year.
www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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OEM news
HP to launch online printing on demand
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y the end of this year, customers may be able to send photographs via an online network and order prints to be picked up from a nearby printing shop. The general manager of Hewlett-Packard (Thailand)'s Imaging and Printing Group (IPG), Somchai Soongswang, said his company was looking for partners to provide printing services according to a new business model called Retail Publishing System (RPS), to provide printing services on demand. The system will allow customers to send photo files online and order photo prints, signage, calendar printing, graphic prints and document printing based on laser printing and marketing material such newsletters, and point-of-purchase flyers. HP plans to provide printing hardware and software to businesses that become its RPS partners, and expects the services to be launched by the end of this year. The company already provides RPS services from supermarket "corners" in Singapore and IT supermarkets in Australia. "We are looking for partners in Thailand who will be print service providers, offering total printing service solutions to individual customers or smalland medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to order photo prints, calendar printing, posters, T-shirt screen printing, catalogue printing
and many other services over the counter, offline or online," Somchai said. He said the company was trying to develop an ecosystem that would generate opportunities to use printing innovations and new technology. Clients would be offered tailor-made, customised services on demand. HP believes the potential existed in Thailand for the printing service to succeed, since Thailand is already the company's third biggest market in the region. The company's Imaging and Printing Group is following a strategy called Print 2.0 this year, focusing on making it easier to print from websites, such as blogs and travel sites, and bringing new printing capabilities to online properties. He said the IPG's core business would involve individual home customers, SMEs and the wider enterprise market. It will also enter the graphic solution business with new HP Latex-Printing technology, planning to focus on restaurants, realestate firms and hotels. HP was leader of the laser-printer market in Thailand last year, with a market share of 29 per cent. It also held 27 per cent of the ink-jet printer market. The company expects its IPG business to grow
by about 15 per cent this year as demand for digital printing overtakes analog printing. Segments with potential for high growth include the graphicsolution business, which HP expects to expand at least 2.5 times, especially in rural markets. It is also providing printers for the enterprise market that will offer managed-print services, helping organizations to reduce their printing costs by at least 30 per cent. "We have managed-print services solutions, including hardware, software, supply and finance, to support our customers," Somchai said. HP will also focus on expanding its rural markets this year, expecting to generate about 35 per cent of its revenue from upcountry. In 2009, it made 25 per cent of its revenue from rural markets.
HP to open new design centre in Singapore
H
P is set to establish an HP Inkjet & Web Solutions (IWS) Global Design Centre in Singapore - its first outside of the United States. The new Design Centre will be part of a newly formed team that will be responsible for the design and development of the entire HP IWS portfolio for worldwide markets. The IWS portfolio includes the HP Deskjet, HP Photosmart, Officejet & Officejet Pro and Retail Photo Solutions. The new Design Centre is expected to be fully operational by January 2011,
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while hiring and recruitingis expected to begin immediately. HP says it will recruit top designers from the region and internationally to work at the new Center. The designers – including industrial, interaction and graphic designers as well as ergonomics and human factors engineers – will drive the creation of innovative new products and services. The new Design Center will expand the capability and reach of the HP IWS Design group from its current location in San Diego, California.
This expansion is the latest development of HP’s IWS global design team headed by Sean Carney. The Singapore Design Center will be organised in three areas including: • User Experience Design will research how and why customers use technology and what unmet needs technology could address. • Interaction Design will create intuitive new interfaces for products and services. • Industrial Design will work on physical design and aesthetics creating iconic and highly desirable new products.
Recycling Times Magazine
Features
Printer supplies on the green path As the contradictions between economic development on the one hand and resources and environment on the other become increasingly acute, the concept of environmental protection becomes more and more popular among the world’s citizens. Governments look to circular economic development as the strateg y goal for a sustainable national economy, creating a society in which people, society and nature are a harmonious whole and society is resource-effective and environmentally-friendly. Remanufacturing printer consumables is consistent with the characteristics of a circulation economy, taking energ y conservation, recycled materials and a green environment as the blueprint for industry. Remanufactured printer supplies deserve more attention, at the very least they should not be in a situation where they get so much less exposure than the OEM’s promotion of green concept, eco-friendly solution etc. Remanufactured products do not enjoy a smooth journey on the path to green. Recycling Times understands that remanufacturing printer supplies occupy a very small market share of less than 5% in China! This article talks about the recycling activities of both OEMs and aftermarket players. It presents an in-depth discussion concerning the remanufacturing supplies’ environmentally friendly features. From the discussion, we can see the obstacles that stand in the way of remanufacturers who are making effort to collect empties and go green. The article concludes by proposing strategies for remanufacturers to go green. Governments advocating a circulation economy As the environment continues to deteriorate, many countries are attaching great importance to the situation and issuing laws and regulations concerning product recycling and environmental protection in production. We are encouraged to create a resource-effective and environmentfriendly society by common effort, while waste of resources and pollution are prohibited. Industrialized countries like Japan, America, and many in Europe have established a very good legislative system to stimulate circulation economy. Germany issued a Waste Avoidance and Management Act, which stipulated that “avoidance”, “recycling” and “disposal” were the priority. On April 26, 1991, Japan enacted its Act on the Promotion of Effective Resource Utilization. In 1994, the US government made Environmental Protection Act 1994 a law, in which recycling was mentioned. On April 11, 2000, European Union made Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ( WEEE) Directive, supporting the remanufacturing industry. On August 20, 2008, an executive meeting of the State Council of China approved Regulation on the Administration of the Recovery and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products, which stipulates that the State
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implements a system of recovery by multiple channels and certralized disposal with respect to waste electric and electronic products. The State will establish a fund for the disposal of waste electric and electronic products to be used to pay for the recovery and disposal of electric and electronic products. On August 29, 2009, Circular Economy Promotion Law of the Prople’s Republic of China was issued and came
Recycling Times Magazine
Features
into effect on January 1, 2009. This law requires industries in the country to “reduce, reuse and recycle” when in production, circulation and consumption. On October 2007, ICRRA , the Indian Cartridge Remanufacturers & Recyclers Association decided to establish collection centers in major Indian cities. The remanufacturing industry of India started about 10 years ago. Although the move is a little late, it has a potentially enormous impact on the long term development of the industry. Judging from this, a circular economy is inevitable, and more governments will go for it as time goes by. OEMs can do better HP: recycle 2 billion pounds by 2010 HP is one of the very first companies to introduce a recycling program. The company started its recycling efforts in 1987. The program has covered more than 50 countries and regions around the world. In 2007, HP became the first computer manufacturer to operate its own recycling facility. In the same year, HP realized its goal to reclaim 1 billion pounds (about 450,000 tones) of electronic products and supplies, and set the goal of recycling 2 billion pounds between 1987 and 2010. It is projected that HP will reuse 450 million pounds (200,000 tonnes) of electronic products by the end of 2010 (since 2003). In Europe, Middle East and Africa area, HP recycled totally 170 million pounds, an increase of about twice the amount of 2006. In the Americas, 65 million pounds of equipment were recovered. In the Asia Pacific region, HP reused 13 million pounds of old products. In 2008, HP announced for the first time that it was going to manufacture OEM cartridges with reclaimed plastic materials. Between 2005 and 2008, HP reduced the energy used in its operations by over 9% towards the previous goal of 16% by 2010. In September 2009, a new goal was created to reduce the Greenhouse Gas emissions from HP-owned and HP-leased facilities to 20% below 2005 levels by 2013 on an absolute basis. HP has set an interim target to reduce the energy consumption in its facilities by 7% (the remaining percentage in this goal) below 2008 levels by the end of 2010. Canon: pioneer of used toner cartridge collection In keeping with its corporate responsibility, Canon pioneered the collection of used toner cartridges in 1990 as a voluntary measure, even before regulations were established. They started toner cartridge recycling the following year. It has been 17 years since Canon started the program and
▲ Canon receiving the Fuji Sankei Group Award at the 17th Global Environment Awards
now its initiatives go so far as to include stipulations on green purchasing in Japan. To date, Canon has collected a total of 190,000 tons of used material globally. All collected cartridges are utilized as reused parts in new products or in material recycling and now Canon achieves 100% recovery. Through this toner cartridge recycling program, it reduced the use of new resources by 110,000 tons and CO2 emissions by 310,000 tons. These activities were honored with the Chairperson’s Award from the Eco-Products Awards Steering Committee in 2007 and the Fuji Sankei Group Award at the 17th Global Environment Awards of Fuji Sankei Business in 2008. Canon Dalian Business Machines Inc. is one of Canon’s the four recycling centers across the world. It has been engaging in the recycling and remanufacturing process since 1991. It will crush the old and used components and reuse the plastic in cartridge remanufacturing after classification. Currently, Canon’s 16 subsidies in China have joined the recycling drive. Recycling Times understands that from 1997 to 2006, Canon Dalian Business Machines Inc. recycled 142,000 tons of used cartridges from all parts of the world. However, Canon only recycled 400 cartridges in China in 2006. There is still much room for more recycling. Epson: main effort in Japan Epson shows on its website that the main focus of its recycling is in Japan. In 2001, Epson collected 1,370 tons of consumable supplies globally, while 1,200 tons of them came from Japan. In June 2004, Epson Sales Japan started a domestic campaign that links the collection of ink cartridges with the Bellmark program. The campaign was expanded in March 2005 to include toner cartridges. The spread of printers has generated huge amounts of used cartridges. In 2006, the recycling collection reached a peak, to 4,668 tons, while 4,250 of them came from Japan. Following this, Epson introduced recycling program in regions such as North www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
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America, Asia and Australia, but the focus remained in Japan. In 2007, Epson reclaimed 4,260 tons of used products, of which 3,900 tons were from Japan. Fuji Xerox: Eco-Manufacturing plant in China In January 2008, Fuji Xerox established an integrated recycling system in China and the company Fuji Xerox Eco-Manufacturing (Suzhou) Co., Ltd was marshaled into operational use. A system is used dismantle used copying machines, office equipment and manufacturing cartridges. The dismantled material will become raw material after a remanufacturing process. This plant has an annual processing capacity of 150,000 pieces of equipment and 500,000 cartridges. The recycling rate of office equipment has reached 96% and the rate of cartridge recycling is 99.9%. In 2008, Suzhou municipal government has chose this project as a “Sample Project for Circular Economy” in the city of Suzhou. From the OEMs’ achievements we can see that: First, the OEMs spare no effort to build their image of custodians of environmental protection. The green image also plays an important part in sales as more and more consumers are concerned about the environmental protection features of products. In the meantime, by promoting environment protection, the OEMs strike a great impression in the minds of consumers. Second, although the OEMs mostly show that they care about the environment and they have done a lot to save energy and resources, there is still much room for progress. • The cartridges that have been recovered take up a very small proportion compared with the total sales amount. A report by Lyra Research in October 2007 showed that among the 50 million inkjet cartridges and 70 million laser cartridges in the North American region, half were produced by HP.
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Although HP has established recycling program, half of the empty cartridges still go to landfill. • OEMs mostly only reuse their own brand of cartridges and supplies. To date, not one OEM is willing to take used supplies from other manufacturers. If each OEM gets its own way and doesn’t care about the whole picture, the recycling channel and resources will be a waste. • Some OEMs will not reclaim used supplies. They will not refill the used products nor remanufacture old cartridges. Instead, they extract metal or plastic from the old product. Some undamaged empties don’t get reused. This is at variance with the environmental concept. Think further, the consumers will buy brand new supplies instead of remanufactured products. In this way, more resources will end up wasting and cause more burden to the environment. Go green? Choose remanufactured supplies • Remanufacturers will reuse all used cartridges regardless of the brands, in doing so differentiating themselves from the OEMs. This can increase the recovery rate of a wide variety of used inkjet and laser cartridges and reduce landfill. Redeem is the largest empties collector in Europe, perhaps even in the whole world. It has established recycling systems in countries such as Britain, Ireland, France, America and Italy. In Europe alone, Redeem has cooperated with more than 147,000 enterprises and organizations. Redeem prints specially made envelopes with pre-paid postage on them. Each envelope that is sent out has a bar code. This is used in Redeem’s ERP system and each reclaimed cartridge will be tracked and kept on record. The company sends out more than 15 million envelopes each month. Redeem also cooperates with multiple channels, for example, working with superstores,
Recycling Times Magazine
Features
▲ A corner of recycling sites
schools and other organizations. • During the post-collection process, the remanufacturers also adopt different methods. Remakers will first refurbish the product and then remanufacturer them to achieve the same quality as the OEM new products, thus fully demonstrating the 3R principles, reduce, reuse and recycle. With 3R as the guideline, the remanufacturing business fits perfectly with circular economy. In terms of the social benefits, remanufacturing is good for energy conservation and emission reduction efforts and environmental protection as well as the country and humankind. • Remanufacturing reduces carbon footprint. Cartridge World is one of the fastest developing remanufacturers and retailers, with more than 1,700 stores around the globe. Cartridge World commissioned an independent research institution to conduct research to compare the carbon footprint of OEM and aftermarket printer consumables. The study showed the transport of Cartridge World inks and toner can emit less than half the carbon dioxide than that of OEM cartridges. And across three cities on average, with typical refill percentages of one-color inkjet, three-color inkjet and laser cartridges, the average carbon dioxide transportation footprint of Cartridge World ink and toner operations is 40% lower than what might be expected from OEM cartridges. Also notable is that the carbon dioxide reduction of transportation-related carbon dioxide is over 70% for toners. • Remanufacturer: setting out an eco-plan. Armor rolled out an environment friendly program called the “Alternative Print Program” which targeted green customers and end users of printer supplies. Armor aims to promote the production, collection and remanufacturing of green printer consumables. By introducing the program, Armor expected a reduction of 20%-30% in waste, 10% in power consumption, 3% printer supplies. Armor is an excellent example for remanufacturers who wish to take the green path in order to protect the earth.
Just as Burt Yarkin (Former CEO of Cartridge World) said: “We not only extend the life of printer consumables and raise the utilization rate of them, but also do better than the OEMs in environmental protection.” However, many end users fail to see this advantage of remanufacturing products because they are dazzled by the strong promotion of going green by the OEMs. Remanufacturers should work together on making efforts to win over the consumers by promoting green concept. More obstacles ahead Although remanufactured products are greener than OEM supplies, the green journey is beset with great difficulties for many reasons. Recycling Times learns that the market share of remanufacturing products in China is less than 5%. In the printer consumables market of China, brand name printer supplies take up the largest proportion of market share, about 50%. The aftermarket printer supplies occupy around 10%. The other 30% market share is taken by counterfeit products. We import about 80% of the empties and export 90% of the remanufactured supplies. The obstacles facing the industry in China are the following: Deficient legal system In western countries, public offices are asked to give prior consideration to remanufactured products when purchasing, which is stipulated in laws and regulations, policies and taxation affairs. For example, government bodies in Australia need to pay 10% value-added tax when they purchase new products. If the government organs choose to buy remanufactured products, they will be exempt from 10% value-added tax. In Japan, although recycled paper is much more expensive than non-recycled paper, they capture the same market share, both standing at 50%. China does not have guideline laws and regulations on the recycling process of laser and inkjet cartridges and the recycling effort is solely driven by economic benefit. To solve the problem from the stem, we need relevant laws and www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
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regulations and a proper recycling and processing system so as to build an environment for “green print”. Lack of environmental awareness Although people know more about the environment than before, they do not care about the earth enough. Consumers will not think in-depth about which is greener, the OEMs or the remanufacturers. Shanghai Green OA is the first remanufacturing company in the Chinese mainland that has earned environmental certification. We interviewed general manager Zhou Jianwei about Chinese consumer’s environmental awareness. He said: “Some consumers do think environmental protection is very important. They know it is bad to leave empties behind or discard the empties. But they may not care where the empties go after the recycling. They may just sell the empties to the highest bidder. Some consumers contact us and we were going there to pick up empties. But sometimes, when we get there, they say they forgot all about it. ”We can reach a conclusion here that Chinese consumers do not pay enough attention to the meaning of recycling. Fight for empties There are about 10,000 remanufacturing companies of all sizes in the USA that focus on printer supplies recycling, among these there are thousands working on recycling toner cartridges. Every year about 24 million toner cartridges are remanufactured. This industry employs 80,000 people and has an annual market value of more than 10 billion dollars while reducing 38,000 tons of waste. The annual demand for cartridges exceeds 70 million. According to statistics, every 7 out of 10 cartridges in America are remanufactured. In China, the main force for recycling comes from OEMs and small traders. OEMs promote recycling programs in China, but the reach is not wide enough. There are also many restrictions, for example, stipulating a minimum number of empties. Recycling sites are located in big cities and the recycling procedure is complicated. For these reasons, many citizens have to give up entering the recycling programs. Due to deficient regulations and supervisions, small traders are active around computer towns and reclaim empties at a high price. They, instead of the remanufacturing companies, become the forefront of used printer supplies recovery. These reclaimed cartridges will be easily transferred into the hands of adulterators, who produce more pollution in the process of unqualified remanufacturing process. There is still a
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long way to go before the remanufacturing companies win the war of empties. A long, long journey for remanufacturers Experts from the industry put forward two paths for the remanufacturing industry to go along. First, they can innovate in technology. Remanufacturers can develop their own patents and produce brand new products. Second, they can continue to travel the green journey as far as it takes them. Neither path is without difficulties. The biggest challenge gets down to the war for empties, since the OEMs are strengthening recycling leaving less room for remanufacturers. Were the remanufacturers to be successful in going green, there are several ways to make the journey easier. • The country should support the remanufacturing industry. Currently, China is perfecting relevant policies, laws and regulations. In the area of printer consumables, the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology and National Environmental Protection Bureau issued document No. 65, in which remanufacturing laser toner and inkjet cartridge technologies is supported and encouraged for development by the State. The 2008 Regulation on the Administration of the Recovery and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products (draft) and Circular Economy Promotion Law of the Prople’s Republic of China demonstrate the improving legislation system for the remanufacturing industry. However, more laws and referential policies are needed so that e-waste can be efficiently processed and the environmental offices can supervise the recycling and remanufacturing of used printer supplies. • A circular economy and remanufacturing printer supplies should be advocated with greater publicity and people should be more environmentally-oriented in their daily lives.
▲ Children engaged in recycling efforts.
Recycling Times Magazine
Features
In the meantime, remanufacturers should join hands to promote the environmental advantages of the industry and guide consumers to embrace green printer supplies. When marketing, the remanufacturers should also sell the green concept to the end users. • Remanufacturers should build their own recycling channels. The Printing Consumable Industry Association should lead the way and combine the efforts of aftermarket players. A third-party recycling organization should be built to operate nationally to recover used consumables. In this way, consumers can contact the third-party organization and return old and empty cartridges. The recycled supplies can then be evaluated and accessed. According to the usability of the cartridges they return, consumers will be given a specific amount of money. The recycling center will classify the reclaimed cartridges according to the brand, type and the requirement of the remanufacturers. The damaged cartridges should be delivered to a dismantle process and shipped to plastic plants, rubber production factories or metal processing companies so as to reuse part of the resources. For reusable cartridges, the third party recycling center can sell them to qualified and certified remanufacturers for further production. • Remanufacturers should strengthen standard processes. Quality can be monitored and win over the consumer’s heart by delivering a product of trustworthy quality at a reasonable price. Such standardized processing also includes the right way to deal with polluted water, waste toner and material generated by the remanufacturing process. Secondary pollution can only be prevented with standardized approaches and only then can green supplies be truly “green”. Currently remanufacturers
produce printer supplies of unbalanced quality. To improve the situation, the industry should discipline itself. An industry standard is also needed to standardize the remanufacturing process. We can see several suits of standard documents have been issued in recent years. For example, there are local standards and guidelines. Zhuhai has Environment Control for Remanufacturing of Laser Toner and inkjet cartridges. Shanghai has Technical Standard for Remanufacturing Laser Printer Toner Cartridges and another standard approved by National Environmental Protection Bureau, namely Technical Requirements for Environmental Labeling on Products Reprocessed Toner Modules. However, the standards are not mature enough and further improvement. • Remanufacturers should be careful with patent issues. Recycling Times interviewed patent attorney Shiyang Xu. He commented on patent issues concerning remanufacturing: “We have yet to issue laws specific to recycling. But the Supreme People’s Court does have preliminary explanation in Certain Provisions of the Supreme Peoples Court on Trail Concerning Patent Infringement Cases (Discussion Paper), in which Article 27 talks about it.” It stipulates as follows: In Article 11 and Article 63 of the Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China, to “make a patented product” means to process or produce patented products by machines or by hand. The following actions will be considered as making “a patented product”: (1) Assemble patented products; (2) Collect parts and components of sold patented products and reassemble them into patented products; (3) Recycle used patented designs to pack other products for business purposes; (4) Legitimate use of patented products such as maintenance activities as repair and change of parts and components is not in the scope of “making patented products”; (5) The amount and quality of patented products do not affect the definition of “making patented products”. “The article may have some influence on the remanufacturing industry. But it is only a discussion draft and has yet to be made law. In addition, it is very controversial. Many propose other opinions and suggestions. It is yet to be decided whether the draft will become law”, Xu added. Although there is still a long way to go, the construction of an energy saving society and environmentally friendly society is a wonderful opportunity for the remanufacturing industry. To achieve greater development, the industry needs to work together and strike out a way to go green. www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
Features
A new chapter to energy conserving standard for printers in China On November 19, 2009, China’s National Standard Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy grade for printers and fax machines (The standard) went through the examination and was handed over for approval proceedings. The standard lists energ y efficiency and grades for printers and fax machines in detail, raising the “green” threshold within the printer market, in turn, urging printer manufacturers to focus more on energ y conservation and emission reduction. This will also guide the consumption of green and environment-friendly printers.
consumption of these machines on standby goes counter to our call for Resource-Efficient and Environment-Friendly (REEF) Society, which is not-to-be-ignored. On March 17, 2009, National Standardization Technical Committees and China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) held an Energy Efficiency and Grade Standard Technology Seminar in Beijing. The Seminar was concerned with the draft of a printer and fax machine energy consumption and other standards. Specifications and identified criteria, such as definitions, test methods and indictors, were specified in further detail.
The standard was put forward by National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection on August 11, 2009. Then, CNIS drafted the standard. After a month, suggestions and opinions about the Consultative Paper were collected online and the discussion stage finished. On November 19, the standard was examined and ready for further approval. Printers, fax machines and multifunctional devices are categorized under three grades in the standard, according to their energy consumption attributes. The first grade is Target Value. These are the products that reach the first grade are advanced and energy efficient. The second grade is Evaluation Value, products that meet the second grade are relatively advanced and energy efficient. The third grade is Minimal Value. Products which fail to meet this value will be eliminated from the market.
▲ Discussion meeting of the standard
Heated discussion • Aiming at energy conservation Energy saving is an ongoing topic in the printer industry. China is now an important printer and fax machine production base and sales market. The overall energy consumption and the rate of growth can never be neglected. According to statistics, the printer shipment in China was 7.98 million units in 2007, sales exceeding 10 billion Chinese Yuan (CNY ). The sales volume of fax machines reached about 1.5 million units. In 2008, the printer shipment was 8 million units. According to research by Analysys International, the leading advisor about technology, media and telecom
Energy labeling born As the office automation level goes up, printers and fax machines find their way to the offices and more and more go into households. No matter whether it is the working place or at home, most printers and fax machines are on, working around the clock 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The energy
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Recycling Times Magazine
Features
(TMT) industries in China, the market volume of printers in China will exceed 11 million units in 2010. Currently, the market share of products that fulfill the first grade (Target Value) is about 5%; a further 30% meet the requirements of the second grade (Evaluation Value), taking the total of compliant products to 35%; by the time we reach the third grade (Minimal Value), this figure has been taken above 90%. This still leaves around 10% of products which fail to meet the standard. As stipulated in the standard, once the Standard is enacted, the 10% of products which fails to meet the Standard are prohibited from production, import or sales. Recycling Times understands from assistant researcher Li Pengcheng, CNIS that by enacting the standard, it aims to serve two purposes. First, the government would like to regulate the energy efficiency value in order to raise the environmental consciousness of the whole nation. In this way, consumers are likely to buy qualified energy saving models. Secondly, printer manufacturers are expected to produce products that are environmental friendly so that the quality can be better improved. This also provides a platform for market players to have healthy competition with each other, enjoying a fair and transparent marketplace. Furthermore, the competitiveness of printer and fax machine industry would be enhanced. By increasing competitiveness, domestic printer makers will gear themselves to international standards. Therefore, the export volume can be further expanded. Manufacturers will pay more effort to developing energysaving technology. This standard also backs many laws and regulations such as the energy labeling system, energysaving product certification and Energy Saving Governmental Procurement etc. • Irresistible product up-gradation The Energy Grade Standard shows specific provision to each grade. Printer producers must follow the standard to manufacture printers and fax machines. The products which fail to meet the Standard may be put out of market. We tried to interview with major printer producers such as Konica Minolta and Brother. However, no reply was received. Judging from the current marketplace, those products that do not meet the Standard are around 1,000,000 units. Many are afraid that these products will be washed out once the Standard comes into effect. However, Mr. Li commented: “All the products need to fulfill the minimal allowable value. Besides, the standard can be a good reference for those who want to produce environment-friendly printers.” “The standard will not eliminate those products that have
been out of the factory or in the market. The Standard has a minimal allowable value, most of the manufacturers can update their technology to produce qualified product. The Standard will not wash out any brand or any technology, vendors are free to choose their own strategy and technological advantages to product energy saving products”, he added. Office equipment like printers and fax machines is a large pollution source; it also consumes much energy in business operations. The vendors of office automation equipment are duty-bound to improve their products and technology, especially from the perspective of corporate responsibility. Firstly, manufacturers should pay more attention to the design of the power management module. Vendors can update their energy-saving technology, so that the equipment is energy efficient. They should make sure that when users are operating equipment they can also manage its energy consumption.. Secondly, product structure should be adjusted and the production process should be improved to upgrade the product and enhance the competitiveness of the product. “The Standby Power Levels requirement is meant to remind manufacturers of improving power management technology. Default Delay Time requires printers to consider whether the multifunction has increase the energy consumption”, said Mr. Zheng Xizhen, former head of the Tianjin Institute of Reprographic Technology. “The standard will further promote the energy efficiency of imaging equipment as well as lead our way towards environmental protection”, said Li. • More questions popping up Although CNIS arranged an online opinion collection www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
Features
for the standard, not many knew about it. Besides, there are many printers and photocopiers without energy labeling. Some distributors and resellers are confused. They have no idea which models meet the Standard until the Standard comes into effect. According to our survey on Recycling Times magazine, 95% of the consumers said they know energy labeling and other certifications more in relation to home appliances rather than office equipment. Not many households have printer and other imaging products. If the equipment is used in the office, they thought it didn’t have much to do with them, so that they did not pay much attention to the standard. Recycling Times also learns that only two or three out of 100 people will mention energy consumption standard of office equipment. “Energy labeling is more familiar to corporate users. We consumers pay more attention to the brand, price and performance data”, commented Mr. Qiu, editor of IT 168 site. Printers and photocopiers are mostly office supplies. The fact that most personal consumers did not know about it is acceptable. Mr. Li elaborated on this point: “first, once the Standard is enacted, there will be promotion activities. By then, consumers can go to distributors and resellers for more information. With the help of promotion, I think more and more people will know about it. Second, no unqualified products will be produced in the future. However, in order to maintain credit and reputation, the vendors will continue to provide parts, supplies and other kits for discontinued products. Consumers do not need to worry about the maintenance of products (even the product that do not meet the standard). Besides, as the energy labeling and certification promotion activities are carried out, more people will get involved in the effort to protect the environment.” Energy saving printer being mainstream Just like the energy efficiency standard for other products, the higher level of energy efficiency a printer or a fax machine meets, the more energy it can save. Take two standard monochrome laser printers for example. Let’s say the speeds of both models are 30 ppm. If the printer falls into the third grade (Minimal Value), the energy consumption (per week) is 5.1 kilowatt-hour (kWh), while the first grade (Target Value) consumes only 1.5 kWh. In this way, the first grade printer uses 3.6 kWh less than the third grade one. If we calculate the price of electricity is 1.04 CNY (the price of industrial electricity in Zhuhai), the first printer saves you 3.7 CNY (about $ 0.55) per week. For a company owning 20 first
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May 2010 | www.visitremax.com.cn
▲ China energy label
grade printers, the savings go up to 74 CNY per week, that is, 3,552 CNY (about $ 525) per year. We can see from the data above, the higher level of energy saving product users choose, the less electricity they use. Although the purchasing price may be higher for grade one products, in the long run, users can save more than they pay. Apart from this, if more and more people choose energy conservation products, the price of energy saving products will go down. “As the energy and climate change issues protrude, energy saving and efficiency is a major trend for product development”, said Mr. Li. Energy saving can demonstrate itself in many aspects. For long term standby equipment, low standby power consumption is great for conserving energy. Printers such as the Canon LBP series laser printer and the HP OfficeJet multifunctional devices consume less than 3 watts per week on average. OKI focuses on LED printing technology, which lowers the energy consumption from the stem. Duplex printing is also one way to save energy. Currently, HP, Canon and Epson are making effort to lower total cost of ownership, so that the consumers pick up the green purchasing concept. Summary Energy consumption and environment protection is one of the core issues for all societies. The standard promotes the upgrading of products and technology as well as advocating that consumers buy highly energy efficient printers.
Recycling Times Magazine
Features
Small library: According to the Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy grade for printers and fax machines (draft), the grades are set based on factors such as minimum allowable values of energy efficiency, energy saving evaluation, standby power level, default delay time and additional function power etc. Since there are great differences between laser printers, themal transfer printers inkjet printers and dotmatrix products, the drafters of the standard applied two different test methods, namely Typical Electricity Consumption (TEC Approach) and Operational Mode
Approach (OM Approach), to evalutate the power level of each technology. Thermal printing, thermal dye-sublimation printing, digital imaging, solid ink printing and thermal transfer printing are classified by the TEC Approach. The typical electricity consumption should not exceed the values in table 1. Inkjet and dot-matrix products are classified by the OM Approach. The operational mode electricity consumption should not exceed the values in table 2. The setting of maximum default delay times to sleep for products with inkjet or dot-matrix technology should not exceed the values in table 3. Energy grade
Product type
First grade
Second grade
Third grade
TEC Approach
TEC Approach
TEC Approach
p≤15
0.6
1
1.5
15<p≤40
0.06×p-0.3
0.10×p-0.5
0.20×p-0.9
p>40
0.21×p-6.2
0.35×p-10.3
0.61×p-17.8
p≤32
0.06×p+2.0
0.10×p+2.8
0.14×p+4.0
32<p≤58
0.30×p-5.8
0.35×p-5.2
0.39×p-4.2
p>58
0.60×p-23.5
0.70×p-26.0
0.80×p-28.0
Speed (ppm)
Monochrome printer, fax machine
Color printer, fax machine
Monochrome multifunctional devices
p≤10
1
1.5
4
10<p≤26
0.06×p+0.4
0.10×p+0.5
0.30×p+0.9
p>26
0.31×p-6.3
0.35×p-6.0
0.44×p-2.8
Color multifunctional devices
p≤26
0.06×p+1.9
0.10×p+3.5
0.20×p+5.0
26<p≤62
0.33×p-5.0
0.35×p-3.0
0.41×p-0.7
p≤26
0.60×p-22.0
0.70×p-25.0
0.85×p-28.0
▲ Table 1 TEC Approach Energy grade (Unit: kWh per week)
Energy grade First grade
Product type
Third grade
Second grade
POM
Standby
POM
Standby
POM
Standby
Inkjet products
1.0+∑Pfa
1
1.4+∑Pfa
1
3.0+∑Pfa
2
dot-matrix products
3.6+∑Pfa
1
4.6+∑Pfa
1
6.0+∑Pfa
2
Note: ∑Pfa is the sum power of additional functions. ▲ Table 2 OM Approach Energy grade (Unit: Watt)
Product type
Printing speed (ppm)
Default delay time to sleep in minutes
p ≦ 10
5
Inkjet printer, dot-matrix
10<p ≦ 20
15
printer
20<p ≦ 30
30
p>30
60
Inkjet all-in-ones Inkjet fax machines
p ≦ 10
15
11<p ≦ 20
30
p>20
60
-
5
▲ Table 3 Maximum default delay times to sleep for inkjet and dot-matrix product
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Recycling Times Magazine
Showcase
Holding a product release conference The most distinctive feature of an international trade show is that it attracts professional visitors from all around the world. Used well, a show is a successful marketing strateg y. If you grasp the opportunity to showcase your products in the form of technolog y report meetings or product release conferences and introduce the latest products and technolog y in a comprehensive manner, you can get known by an extensive audience and customers in the shortest time possible. At the same time, you get your company image publicized. Your sales may also skyrocket. In this issue, we will see how to hold a successful product release conference. The Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA) conducted research, from which we know that exhibitors have several goals. These goals include: basics, product releasing, pricing, promoting the company and its brand and increasing sales. Several numbers are worth noticing. 85% of the exhibitors surveyed wished to promote company awareness; 70% of them wanted to visit old customers and network with potential customers; 63% hoped to take up bigger market shares; 60% to introduce new products; 58% to promote product recognition, 50% attended for exchange of information and 50% to identify customer demand. The numbers are shown in the table 1. From the statistics, product release conferences are of great importance to raise peoples’ awareness of the company.
Nowadays, more and more exhibitors pay more attention to technology reports or product introductions during trade shows. Normally, a technology report meeting or a product release conference lasts for about one hour. How to make full use of the time and make it more effective is a concern for all exhibitors. Identify the importance of a product release conference You can promote your corporate identity and products through a product release conference. Business opportunities are everywhere in a trade show, if you are to sell the product, you need to know how important it is of the release conference is. • Your company will stand out if you hold a product release
▲ Table 1 Purposes of attending a trade show
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Recycling Times Magazine
Showcase
conference. If the visitors think your company is ahead of you competitors in terms of technological innovation, marketing or other facets, they have more confidence in your company and products. When you get down to business, there is no doubt that this confidence will help you close the deal. • Generally, a visitor may only spare several minutes on a booth, since there are still hundreds of booths in line for visit, and hundreds of companies to get to know. If you can spend one more minute with the visitor, the chances for your products will be bigger. If you spend thirty minutes to one hour with visitors, introducing your products, latest technologies and your company, you can give all the information to the audience in a well-organized manner, and take questions from the audience at any time you please. If the conference is wonderful, visitors will really appreciate it. In this way, you can have much more time to promote your company and products. Time is everything in a show. Function of a release conference A successful product release conference can not only serve as a bridge between manufacturers and customers but also help identify market information and customer demand. Therefore, manufacturers can improve products and technology and produce more consistent, reliable and high quality products to meet the demands of the market. • At the product release conference, you can talk to your customer face to face and get to know what they think about your product and what they want. A product release conference can also strengthen existing customers’ confidence and clear up doubts for potential clients. • You can show the real products to your customers so that they can learn more about the features, advantages and performance of the products. You can also show them how to use and maintain the products. • You can gather competitor information and useful pointers about the wider market situation through conversations with the audience. • You can promote corporate images and philosophies of the company and raise awareness of the products. If a strong impression is made, you may find that the customer will disseminate information about your company though word of mouth. By engaging with customers, customers can learn
about your company’s strengths, marketing strategies and services in person. How to make full use of the conference The ultimate purpose of a product release conference is to generate sales and win more purchase orders. If you don’t prepare enough for the conference and miss out on the details, you may not get the conference you want. What is worse, a bad introduction conference will have adverse effect. So preparing is very important. Get things organized before, during and after the conference. Make sure everything flows smoothly. 1. Before the product introduction conference • Keep close contact with the organizer. Never think that things are done once you hand in the application form to the organizer. It is just a beginning. After you hand in the application form, contact to the person in charge of the conference. Make sure the organizer is aware of who is coming to the conference. It’s advisable to ask the organizer to help invite customers too. Besides, discuss with the organizer the form and content of the product release conference and see what information and support you can get from the organizer. Try to make your conference a little bit different and creative so that it stands out.. • Invite important customers and press media. Before the conference, you need to invite as many customers as possible, especially potential ones. Invite them not only to your booth but to your product release conference, too. Invite some influential Media, too, since this is the best time to create your company image and get known by the industry. • Plan the time and location. If an exhibition show lasts for three days, the best timing for product release conference is the afternoon of the first day or the second day. There www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
Showcase
is s reason for that. Firstly, most visitors have arrangements for the morning and the schedule is tight, because visitors may have planned what to do in the next day. People tend to finish what they have planned and what they think is important first. After that, visitors will have time for something new. The location should be a booth concentrated area. More visitors will pass by and help attract more visitors. If the conference is held somewhere very far away, visitors may not attend. • Prepare for the conference ahead of schedule. Make sure everything you need for the conference is ready. For example, you can make a list of items you will need such as brochures, an attendance book, a conference agenda, visual aids, cameras, drinks and so on. You can also play some music to light the mood before and after the conference. You can draw some visitors by playing good music too. 2. In the conference • Get familiar with the agenda. Make sure the staff on the stand knows very clearly all the details about the product release conference, including the time, location, speakers and what will be presented on the conference. When the show is on, the staff can tell all the visitors who come to the booth about the conference and encourage visitors to go and attend. This is extremely helpful if there are a lot of visitors. In this way, you don’t need to worry about leaving your visitors ignorant of your plans and you will not lose potential customers. • Rational division of labor. At the conference, you need to assign somebody to be in charge of the attendance book. You should have someone collect business cards, give out brochures and contact information. You can also make some staff to take questions from the audience. This is very important if you want to know feedback from the clients. • Arrange some interviews with the journalists if you have time. Some staff should be responsible for the reception of the media. Provide detailed information to the journalist and get free promotion on TV, in newspapers or on the internet. You can get free promotion on Recycling Times also. More people can get to know your company through the eyes of the journalist. • Introduce your product. At the conference, you should tell the audience everything about your product. The topics should be around the quality and performance of the product. Don’t
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get off the introduction, otherwise unnecessary information may get in the way of what really counts. • Be energetic. At the conference, staff should have high morale and be sincere to the audience. Pay particular attention to details such as uniform and body language. • Record the conference. If it is possible, you can ask professional studios to record the whole conference. This has two advantages; firstly, you can attract more crowds to the booth. Secondly, you can send the CD of the conference to your customers after the show, thus prolonging the impact of your efforts. Recording what you do would also help you to assess the success of the show when you return to the office – by playing back the conference you can see what went well and what you could improve for next time. 3. After the conference • Thank-you note. You can make phone calls or send e-mails to all the guests, media and other visitors that had been present at the conference. • Update information. Update your customer information on regular basis. Sort out the information you get at the conference and see which details pertain to existing customers and which ones to potential customers. Apply different tactics according to the information. • Pay a return visit to your customer. Track quality customers and follow ups. Summary A successful product release conference can not only increase your contact with customer face to face, but also help promote your corporate image. It can also raise customer confidence in the products. All good reasons why exhibitors should hold a distinctive product release conference and make it work in order to obtain higher sales.
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Recycling Times Magazine
Profiles
No autumn fruit without spring blossom Interviewing Everlight Chemical Industrial Corporation This is a long-established and dynamic enterprise. In the last 37 years, Everlight Chemical Industrial Corporation (Everlight) has weathered a lot. However, the more steps it makes, the more steadily it walks. It provides added value, low energ y consumption and low contamination high-tech chemicals to the world. Everlight’s products are popular in more than 80 countries worldwide. Everlight has always abided by laws and regulations, showcasing integrity in business practices. The core values of Everlight are “Business by Integrity; Management by Caring.” The mission statement, business philosophy and principles are all derivatives of these employee-shared values. Everlight has many subsidies, including Trend Toner Imaging, Inc. and Everlight (Suzhou) Advanced Chemicals Ltd. Which are committed to R&D, manufacturing and marketing of toners. Now, their combined annual production capacity of toner is 6,000 tons. We interviewed Dr. Jason Chu, general manager of Everlight (Suzhou) Advanced Chemicals Ltd. to find out the legendary story of Everlight. History of Everlight Everlight Chemical Industrial Corporation was founded in 1972 with an initial investment capital of New Taiwan Dollar (NT) 4 million (about $ 95,400). In 1988, Everlight went public with a capital of NT 5 million (about $ 159,000). In 2008, Everlight’s revenue reached NT 5.72 billion (about $ 181 million). The changes in these numbers have not happened in one day. As the saying “Rome was not built in one day” goes, Everlight has devoted itself to the industry for 37 years. That is why it can accomplish so much today. However, the journey Everlight took is rather steadier than the aggressive approach that many other enterprises chose for themselves. Many events went down in history over the 37-year journey. Here, we name just a few to overview the development of Everlight. After 1989, Everlight started its operations around the
world, in countries such as America and the Netherlands. It also has many subsidies at home in China, such as Shanghai, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Qingdao and Hong Kong. In 1992, a land lot (19,500 m2) in Kuan-Ying Industrial Park, TaoYuan Shien was also bought by Everlight to build the Third Factory. In 1996, Everlight set foot into the sphere of bulk pharmaceuticals. In 1997, Everlight established Electronic Chemicals Plant and acquired Trend Tone Technological Company. In 2004, a new subsidy, E'cos Biotech Corp. was constructed and in 2006, Everlight (Suzhou) Advanced Chemicals Ltd. was established. For Everlight, each step is taken with deliberation; every investment is made through consideration and understanding of the general market conditions. Everlight’s dyestuff plant is also one of the largest plants of its kind in the whole world. In recent years, Everlight has branched out
Year
Plant built
Location
Coverage
1976
First Factory
Tao-Yuan Industrial Park
8,800 m2
1986
Headquarters
Tun-Hua South Road (Taipei)
1,600 m2
1987
Second Factory
Kuan-Ying Industrial Park (Taipei)
62,200 m2
1989
Elite Company
Turkey
1992
Third Factory
Kuan-Ying Industrial Park (Taipei) ▲ Milestones of Everlight
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May 2010 | www.visitremax.com.cn
19,500 m2
Recycling Times Magazine
Profiles
from traditional color chemicals to speciality chemicals and even electronic chemicals. Furthermore, it is paving its way towards bulk pharmaceuticals and medical cosmetics etc. Seen from this aspect, Everlight never fails to keep pace with the times, and strategizes its operation range and product lines construction. The core values of Everlight are “Business by Integrity; Management by Caring.” The mission statement, business philosophy and principles are all derivatives of these employee-shared values. Everlight has positioned itself as a “manufacturer of high-tech chemical” and as such R & D is always its focus. In the past five years, Everlight has won 85 patents. Everlight insists on the highest ethics and principles regarding business transactions. Therefore, it earns mutual trust with valuable customers, which has made sales grow continuously. Through the continuous efforts of Everlight’s agents, distributors and subsidiaries in USA, Europe, Turkey, Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai, Everlight has established a marketing network of more than 80 countries, covering five continents around the world. Everlight toner, popular around the globe Many in the industry have heard about the reputation of Everlight’s toner and ink. Dr. Chu told us:”It took Everlight 12 years to develop color paste and Pre-ink. From color paste to Pre-ink, it was quite a long endeavor. Encouraged by the success, Everlight dared to open territory in the textile digital printing market. Seeing the bright prospect of inkjet dyes, many companies went into a war for market share. The fact that Everlight can make its way and stand out from the market which used to be held by the Europe and America is really rare, and it has been achieved against all the odds. ”
▲ Office building of Trend Tone Imaging, Inc.
▲ Factory of Everlight (Suzhou) Advanced Chemicals Ltd.
Everlight has been manufacturing toner for more than 15 years. It has, therefore, become one of a few toner manufacturers who have their own independent R & D team. Everlight also introduces a lot of state-of-the-art equipment from Germany, including an automatic, computer-based controlling and monitoring system. It has toners for many brand name cartridges, such as the toners for copiers RICHO, Canon, Sharp, Xerox and for printers Epson, HP, Canon. Customers are very satisfied with the substantial quality on offer. “Everlight’s toner enjoys an annual sales growth of 50%. With its solid R & D power and outstanding management, Everlight has made itself the largest toner manufacturer in South and East Asia, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan,” Dr. Chu said proudly. Recycling Times understands that the production method of toner in Everlight is mainly physical approaches (mechanical toner). R & D expenses take up 5% of sales revenue. Many other sources are pooled to stimulate the development of toners, such as cooperation with government groups, technology exchange with overseas specialist, patent application etc. Although color toner takes up less than 10% of the total production, Everlight considers the production of color toner as a major focus for profit growth. The market focus is now mainly in the European, American and Japanese markets. “In the future, the development of Everlight’s toner will be developing and manufacturing color toner, introducing manufacturing method of chemical toner, making toner particles finer and promoting performance, lowering the fusing temperature to conserve energy,” Dr. Chu said with a blueprint for the future of Everlight in his mind. The toner manufacturing company Trend Tone Imaging, Inc (TTI) was acquired by Everlight Chemical Group in 1997. And more investment was made to build TTI. In 2000, TTI opened more product lines and raised its production www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
Profiles
scale. The production capacity increased several times after that. In 2006, color toner first appeared in the product list. In 2010, TTI brought color toner production to the next level by introducing a product line with an annual capacity of 2,000 tons and constructing another building especially for toner production. To date, the production capacity has reached 6,000 tons. Another subsidy of Everlight, Everlight (Suzhou) Advanced Chemicals Ltd. has finished its first phase of a toner production project. Now the monthly toner output reaches 160 tons, the annual output can reach 2,000 tons. However, Everlight is not satisfied with its current capacity of 8,000 tons. It has a higher goal on its agenda. Dr. Chu told us: “The long term objective for Everlight is to build a specialized toner maker, with an annual production capacity of 10,000 tons or more. We project that another toner manufacturing line will be added to Everlight (Suzhou) in 2011, by which time the total production capacity could be 4,000 tons or more and TTI can become what we’ve planned for Everlight, producing more than 10,000 tons of toner annually. ” Now, Everlight is investing more and more in the Chinese mainland. When asked why Everlight shifted so many resources to the mainland, Dr. Chu explained:”China mainland has been a center of photoelectric printer supplies. Overseas toner manufacturers are fighting in the Chinese mainland for market share. The quality of domestic toner is also increasing on large scale. The prospects for toner manufacturing and sales in the mainland are looking good. That is why we locate Everlight activities there. We will continue to enhance the R & D center in Taiwan, but we stand here in Suzhou, in the Central Plains of China and marketing around the globe. Suzhou is no doubt our production center of toner in the Chinese mainland. ”
famous Six Sigma management system. Based on its highquality human resources, sound financial performance and key technology, Everlight provides competitive products and technological services with exceptional advantages. The long term character education has formed a strong cohesion in Everlight. When faced with the economic downturn in 2008, this bond showed tremendous power. Dr. Chu told us about that experience. “In the recession, Everlight faced serious challenges, just as other market players did. The sales started to fall in September, 2008. The profit was also down. The economic conditions changed so fast and it was almost unpredictable. Demand was clearly down at home and abroad. To face the situation, Everlight took measures to deal with it. Practices of ‘grasping the cash, controlling cash flow strictly; lowering debt level, perfecting financial structure; focusing on what we do best, tamping competition advantages; streamlining the organization, strengthening efficiency; fine management, diving to the bottom of any subject’ . During the implement of these measures, every employee used what they had learned from 49 characters, especially having strong confidence, assuming responsibilities, demonstrating forbearance and fighting spirit, which really helped Everlighters unite as one and get through the hard times.” Everlight has traveled for 37 years in spite of facing both wind and rain. For 37 years, Everlight has gained fruitful achievements. Time passed by, and Everlight grew from a small business towards a large corporation today. Everlight is recognized by the industry and society for its reputation. Many factors add to the greatness: the rough time endured setting the business up, the challenges of keeping the business open, the strong R & D abilities, the excellent quality and the caring for its employees, to name just a few. You can see many trophies in Everlight’s exhibition hall. A splendid past is prognostic of a brilliant future. Let’s expect Everlight’s bright future.
Business by Integrity; Management by Caring Some may say that small business can be run by force of personality. For medium-sized enterprises, you need a system to manage it. For a large corporation, you may need to build a corporate culture to run it. After years of development, Everlight knows corporate culture and its substantial influence very well. In the past 11 years, Everlight has been committed to introducing the idea of Institute in Basic Life Principles from America, which is “Character First”. Employees are educated about character and building a culture of integrity and much more. Everlight also implements the world▲ Main gate of Everlight(Suzhou) Advanced Chemicals Ltd.
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Recycling Times Magazine
Legal Issues
Case analysis on patent application strategy (part 2) By Helen Duan, INNOPAT Intellectual Property In the first issue of Recycling Times Magazine, we introduced how to select a patent type and approach. We discussed what kind of strateg y is applied to reserve the priority of patent applications. In this issue, Lawyers Helen Duan and Jinxia Gong from Zhuhai Innopat Intellectual Property Co., Ltd. explain what strategies can be used when applying for patent from Patent Offices in Britain and Europe as a whole. It is vital that enterprises use appropriate strategies to implement patent tactics and carry out market operations, especially to enhance competitiveness in markets at home and abroad. Estimating prospects of a patent application in European Union Member States (with reference to Britain) 1. Patent Application in Britain A client invented a promising product, and consigned us with the patent A application. Firstly, we requested to record patent A in China and got approval for it. Later, the client improved patent A into B. China Patent Law stipulates that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where, within twelve months from the date on which any applicant first filed in a foreign country an application for a patent for invention or utility model, or within six months from the date on which any applicant first filed in a foreign country an application for a patent for design, he or it files in China an application for a patent for the same subject matter, he or it may, in accordance with any agreement concluded between the said foreign country and China, or in accordance with any international treaty to which both countries are party, or on the basis of the principle of mutual recognition of the right of priority, enjoy a right of priority. Where, within twelve months from the date on which any applicant first filed in China an application for a patent for invention or utility model, he or it files with the Patent
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May 2010 | www.visitremax.com.cn
Administration Department Under the State Council an application for a patent for the same subject matter, he or it may enjoy a right of priority.â&#x20AC;? We made full advantage of this Article and filed in a foreign country an application for a patent for invention. Then we can enjoy a right of priority within twelve months from the date we filed the application of patent A. The right of priority can claimed to patent B, which is an improved version of patent A. We filed to Chinese Patent Office again for patent B. Finally, patent B was granted in China.
Recycling Times Magazine
Legal Issues
In addition, we claimed patent A as priority of patent C and filed patent C application to the British Intellectual Property Office. Patent C was also issued after two responses for the Office Actions. At the same time, we requested for priority benefit to Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for patent A. The PCT application for priority had entered PCT National Stage and EU’S Member States stage which lasted for 30 months from the date of application. Since this invention had been subject of an application for a patent in Britain before, and after two responses for the Office Actions, the patent had been issued, therefore, the British authorization file can be used as application documents for PCT and EU Member States’ applications. This can help save time consuming translation processes and costs. 2. Strategy analysis Before the PCT National Stage, if you want to find out the examining results of the three natures of patentability (novelty, creativity and practicability) in foreign patent offices, you can apply for a patent in Britain by claiming priority in China. Since there is very strict screening process in Britain’s Intellectual Property Office, if a patent is granted in Britain, the patent authorization has a high value of reference.
Apply a patent from the European Patent Office (EPO), enjoy patent protection in EU’s Member States 1. European applications A client made some improvement to the structure of a product and hired us to deal with the application proceedings. Firstly, we made a practical, new product A, and then, the applicant improved and redesigned products B and C whose structures were different from product A. The client wanted to get international patent protection for these products. We, therefore, filed a patent request to international patent office. There were 12 months left before we turned in the document for patent application since the earliest date upon which we requested for patent A. We integrated the patent family, patent A, B and C into one application and handed it over to international patent office for PCT application. Later, the application entered PCT National Stage of the United States, Japan and other EU’s Member States within 30 days upon the priority date. When the PCT application came to EU National Stage, we filed another application for patent D. At the same time, we designated all the EU’s Member States. Patent D went through two responses for the Office Actions. After two and a half years, patent D was granted. Following www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
Legal Issues
which is effective in more than 30 countries. This makes the European patent protection mechanism simpler and our application more convenient. To date, the sovereign countries of European Patent Treaty include 36 countries: Austria (AT), Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), Switzerland (CH), Cyprus (CY ), Czech Republic (CZ), Germany (DE), Denmark (DK), Estonia (EE), Spain (ES), Finland (FI), France (FR), Britain (GB), Greece (GR), Croatia (HR), Hungary (HU), Ireland (IE), Iceland (IS), Italy (IT), Liechtenstein (LI), Lithuania (LT), Luxemburg (LU), Latvia (LV ), Monaco (MC), Macedonia (MK), Malta (MT), the date patent D was granted, the client applied for validation in six member countries including Italy, Britain, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Germany. All the inventions (patent A, B, C and D) were protected once an application document was filed to the European Patent Office. 2. Strategy analysis An invention, especially one that has no specific country as a market can file an application for protection in all EU members to EPO. When this application is authorized, we choose the specific country to validate the patent according to the market conditions. According to the European Patent Convention, one patent application in the European Union can turn into a patent Countries/Regions
America, Japan, Europe
Other countries
Netherlands (NL), Norway (NO), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Sweden (SE), Slovenia (SI), Slovakia (SK), San Marino (SM) and Turkey (TR). There are four further extension countries. They are Albania (AL), Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA), Montenegro (ME) and Serbia (RS). Extension countries are not official treaty parties of European Patent Treaty. However, a patent can be extended to the extension states through certain agreement with the European Patent Office, so that authorized European countries can be effective in more than one European country. Currently, many PCT and overseas patent applications are subsidized in China. Take a look at the following tables to find out more.
Type
Funded project/Amount (CNY)
Invention
30,000
utility model patent, industrial designs
5,000
Invention
20,000
utility model patent, industrial designs
5,000
International patent application (PCT application)
Actual amount (Maximum amount: 10,000 for an entity, 5,000 for a person)
Applicant
First application shall be enterprises, institutions, organizations registered in Zhuhai Municipal Government and persons who are the registered households of Zhuhai
▲ Table A Funding for foreign patents from Zhuhai Municipal Government Note: • Foreign patents shall be granted after the date of January 20, 2009. PCT applications shall be filed after the date of January 20, 2009. • The same patent which won patent authorization for more than one country can get subsidy for application in no more than two countries. Besides, the municipal subsidy and the provincial subsidy shall not be enjoyed with the same patent. • This subsidy is granted upon the date of August 20, 2009.
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Recycling Times Magazine
Legal Issues
Type
Funded project / Amount (CNY)
invention
30,000
utility model patent, industrial designs
5,000
invention
20,000
utility model patent, industrial designs
5,000
Hong Kong
standard patent
2,000
Macau
invention
1,000
Countries/Regions
America, Japan, Europe
Other countries
Applicant
First patentee shall be enterprises, institutions, organizations registered in Guangdong Province and persons who are the registered households of Guangdong Province
▲ Table B Funding for foreign patents from Guangdong Provincial Government Note: • If the municipal government has subsidy program, the applicant should first apply for the municipal subsidy. If one patent which is authorized by more than one country and region, the applicant can apply for provincial subsidy for no more than two country or province level subsidy (municipal subsidy exclusive).
Countries/Regions
Funded project/Amount (CNY)
Applicant
Foreign patent through PCT application
Examination fee, registration fee for the grant of patent right, annual fee within three years of the grant (subsidy for a maximum of 5 countries for one patent). The subsidy will be given according to actual amount, and limited to 100,000 CNY for each country.
SMEs, public institutions and research institutions
▲ Table C The central government has special fund for foreign patent through PCT application (similar to invention application in China). The subsidy goes to official fees, agency fees etc. Note: • This program has just been launched. The examination and approval procedure is very strict.
Summary: Patent application can help protect your designs and products. In China, patent application also enjoys preferential policies from the government. Using the right strategy and applying the right approach can go a long way along the application process. To get more benefit or know more
information, you can also go to the site http://www.innopat.com. cn/english/index.htm (Zhuhai Innopat Intellectual Property Co., Ltd.).
Helen Duan Helen Duan is a patent attorney and general manager of INNOPAT Intellectual Property Co., Ltd, which is an officially authorised foreign patent agency in China. In 2005, she was honored as one of the “Excellent IP agent of Guangdong Province.” Ms. Duan has been working as a senior IP advisor for several famous companies and associations including China Yangzi Group Company, ZTE Corporation and Print-Rite Group. Having followed up and studied OEM patents for about 10 years, Ms. Duan has rendered numerous strategic, patentability and non-infringement opinions for successfully designing around OEM’s patents worldwide. With more than 15 years IP practice, Ms. Duan is well experienced in international IP laws and regulations, esp. for the US, Europe and Japan. www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
Tech Zone
Remanufacturing the Okidata B-4545 toner cartridge By Mike Josiah and the technical staff at Uninet Imaging The Okidata B-4545 MFP printer was introduced in January 2008. They are based on a 21ppm, 600 DPI engine. The toner cartridge lists for $169.00 and is rated for 6,000 pages, the drum unit is rated for 20,000 pages. They are nice simple cartridges and with list pricing at $170.00, very profitable to do! These machines use the next generation of cartridge chips. Instead of a chip attached to the cartridge, they use a smart card type chip that is installed by the user into the machine. There is a slot on the machine just under the LCD display that houses the card. The card must be replaced each cycle. New replacement cards are available. The cartridges used in this printer are as follows: Toner
Drum
52116101
56120301
Paper Dust Remover
Drum Cartridge
Drum Cover
It has been a while since the theory of a 2 cartridge monochrome system has been covered so we have included it here. The drum charging system used here is rather unique, as is the toner developer roller.
Pre-charge Film
Drum Charge Brush
Introduction to Okidata
B-4545 toner cartridge printing process PC Drum
The toner cartridge printing process is best explained as a series of steps or stages. 4136M519AA
Paper Dust Remover
Drum Cartridge
Drum Cover
1
Pre-charge Film
Drum Charge Brush
4
2
PC Drum
3
step >
4136M519AA
40
1
In the first stage, the drum charge brush and the Pre-charge film both place a charge on the OPC drum. The Pre-charge film starts the process 1 off by placing a preliminary charge on the drum which increases the efficiency of the charge brush.
May 2010 | www.visitremax.com.cn
Recycling Times Magazine
Tech Zone
Print Head Unit
SOS Mirror
Laser Diode
G1 Lens
Polygon Mirror
Polygon Motor
SOS Sensor PC Drum
2
step >
In the second stage, the laser beam is fired onto a rotating mirror (called the scanner). As the mirror rotates, the beam reflects into a set of focusing lens. The beam then strikes the OPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface, leaving a latent electrostatic image on the drum.
Imaging Cartridge (T/C + D/C)
PC Drum
SOS Sensor
2nd Toner Blade
PC Drum
1st Toner Blade Sleeve Roller
T/C
Bias Seal Toner Hopper Toner Agitating Screw Toner Supply Roller
Sleeve Roller 4136M504AA
Toner Blade Voltage Developing Voltage Terminal Terminal Developing Lower Seal Toner Supply Roller (Bias Seal) Terminal
2nd Toner Blade
1st Toner Blade
Resin Sleeve Bias Seal
Developing Lower Seal (Bias Seal) Terminal Developing Voltage Terminal Toner Blade Voltage Terminal
3
step >
The third stage (developing stage) is where the toner image is developed on the drum by the developing section, (or supply chamber), which contains the toner particles. The toner is held to the developer roller sleeve by a DC bias voltage supplied by the high voltage power supply. The developer roller consists of a rubber type roller with a separate resin conductive sleeve that fits around it. This DC bias voltage is controlled by the printerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intensity setting, and causes either more or less toner to be attracted to the drum. This in turn will either increase or decrease the print density. Both the Charge Brush and developer roller DC Bias voltages are controlled by the printerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intensity setting. The amount of toner on the magnetic roller sleeve is controlled by a double Doctor blade system. This system has the first blade use pressure to keep the coating of toner on the developer roller sleeve constant. The second blade has a DC bias voltage which charges the toner. See Figures
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Recycling Times Magazine
Tech Zone
step >
In the fourth stage (transfer stage) the toner image is then transferred to the paper as it passes below the drum by the transfer charge roller, which places a positive charge on the back of the paper. This positive charge causes the negatively charged toner on the drumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface to be attracted to the page. The small diameter of the drum, combined with the stiffness of the paper causes the paper to peel away from the drum.
Paper Image Transfer Roller Paper PC Drum
Charge Neutralizing Needle Image Transfer Roller
Reverse Bias
4
As the laser exposed areas of the OPC drum approach the developer roller, the toner particles are attracted to the drums surface due to the opposite voltage potentials of the toner, and laser exposed surface of the OPC drum.
PC Drum
In the fifth stage (separation stage) the paper separates from the drum. The static charge eliminator (Called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Charge Neutralizing Needle here)weakens the attractive forces between the negatively charged drum surface, and the positively charged paper. This prevents toner dropouts onto the paper at low temperatures and humidity and also prevents paper from wrapping around the drum.
Image Transfer Bias
Actuator
Thermostat (TS1) Exit Sensor
Thermistor (TH1)
Pressure Roller
Fusing Roller Heater Lamp (H1) Fusing Roller
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May 2010 | www.visitremax.com.cn
Fusing Entrance Guide Plate
5
In the Sixth stage (fusing stage) the image is then fused on to the paper by the fuser assembly, which is comprised of the upper and lower fuser rollers. The paper passes between a heated ceramic fusing element and a soft lower rubber roller that presses the page up into the upper heating element. The upper heated element then melts the toner into the paper.
step >
Fusing Paper Separator Finger
In the Seventh stage (Drum cleaning stage) the OPC drum is cleaned. These cartridges are considered to have a 100% transfer system. As such they have a dust remover brush in the drum unit, but not a waste chamber.
Recycling Times Magazine
Tech Zone
6
The chip on these cartridges has a few functions. It detects a new cartridge when it is first installed, detects the cartridge is properly position in the printer, and of course monitors toner low and toner out.
step >
CSIC Board
The left photo shows how the toner and drum cartridges fit together.
D/C (Drum Cartridge)
Imaging Cartridge
T/C (Toner Cartridge)
• Toner approved vacuum
• Okidata B4545 toner
• 99% pure Isopropyl Alcohol
• A Phillips head screwdriver
• Toner Magnet cloths
• Cotton Swabs
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Lint-free synthetic cotton 4"x 4" pads
• A small common screw driver
step >
Supplies Needed:
9
step >
Tools needed:
10
Remove the pink bushing from the right side.
7
Although we don't recommend it, once clean, you can fill the cartridge install the plug and you’re done! We don't recommend this way because the Doctor Blade needs to be cleaned each cycle. Failure to do this will allow toner to build up on the blade causing vertical streaks, and eventually a ruined Developer Roller. The best way is as follows:
8
To fully clean this cartridge, the Developer Roller must be removed. Remove both springs from each side of the developer roller.
step >
step >
Remove the fill plug on the end of the cartridge. Dump the old toner out and discard. Vacuum the outside of the housing and the developer roller. Turn the developer roller a few times to vacuum all sides of the roller.
Remove the developer roller.
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Recycling Times Magazine
step >
Tech Zone
11
Remove the 2 screws from the doctor blade.
15
step >
Clean the Doctor Blade with a cotton swab and a small amount of acetone. Remove any remaining residue with another cotton swab and 99% Isopropyl alcohol.
18
12
Remove the blue colored bushing from the left side
step >
step >
step >
Install the developer roller gear side to the left. Make sure the clear spacers have the flat side down and that they are not crimped.
16
Align the foam seal onto the small plastic posts on the hopper.
13
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May 2010 | www.visitremax.com.cn
19
Install the pink bushing on the right side of the developer roller. The clear plastic band should be over the arm of the bushing.
step >
step >
14
Clean any remaining toner dust from the hopper and seals.
17
Install the doctor blade and two screws. Make sure the contact leaf spring is touching the back side of the blade.Clean the Developer Roller Sleeve with a lint free cotton cloth, and place aside.
step >
step >
Remove the doctor blade. Carefully separate the foam seal from underneath the blade. Be careful not to tear this foam as the cartridge will leak.
Recycling Times Magazine
22
Fill the cartridge with B4545 toner.
step >
step >
Tech Zone
23
Install the developer roller cover. The clear plastic band should be under the bushing.
20
step >
Install the blue spacer on to the left side of the developer roller. The clear plastic band should be over the arm of the bushing.
24
step >
When packaging the cartridge donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to include a new smart card! The printer will not accept the cartridge as new without one. As stated in the beginning of this instruction. The card is to be installed by the end user, and the slot is located just under the LCD display on the printer.
Image defect chart: Image defect charts are a good tool to help narrow down a problem that is causing an image defect. For this chart to work, the defects must be in line with one another. In other words the second and/ or third marks must be in a straight line from the first. Measure the distance from the first to the second marks in and refer to the chart to see what parts may be causing the issue.
21
step >
Install the small springs on both sides of the developer roller. The clear plastic band should be under the bushing.
50.6mm
Transfer roller
51.8mm
Developer roller sleeve
75.3mm
Lower fuser roller
94.2mm
OPC drum
Mike Josiah Mike Josiah is the East Coast Technical Director at Uninet Imaging. A global distributor of toner, OPC drums, wiper blades and other supplies. An industry veteran since 1987, Mike is a member of ASTM committee F.05, the STMC Technician Certification Committee as well as an STMC trainer. He regularly contributes articles and teaches seminars at association meetings and trade shows.
www.visitremax.com.cn | May 2010
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Recycling Times Magazine
Market Data
Color Inkjet Printers Part 1 Color Inkjet Printers Speed Below 20ppm Vendor
Brother
Brother
Epson
DCP-165C
MFC-250C
ME OFFICE 1100
Brother
Brother
Epson
Monochrome
30
27
30
Colour
25
22
17
1200×6000dpi
1200×6000dpi
5760×1440dpi
Inkjet cartridge quantity
4
4
4
Type of cartridge
4
4
5
100 sheet multipurpose tray
100 sheet multipurpose tray
120 sheet multipurpose tray
USB, PictBridge
USB, PictBridge
USB
Black Part No. Estimated life
Black LC990BK 450 pages
Black LC990BK 450 pages
Black T1091 (2) 450 pages
Color Part No. Estimated life
NA
NA
NA
Cyan Part No. Estimated life
Cyan LC990C 550 pages
Cyan LC990C 550 pages
Cyan T1092 630 pages
Magenta Part No. Estimated life
Magenta LC990M 550 pages
Magenta LC990M 550 pages
Magenta T1093 405 pages
Yellow Part No. Estimated life
Yellow LC990Y 550 pages
Yellow LC990Y 550 pages
Yellow T1094 595 pages
Other consumables Part No. Estimated life
NA
NA
Black/Cyan T1191/T1232 790 pages/975 pages
Other consumables Part No. Estimated life
NA
NA
Magenta/Yellow T1233/T1234 625 pages/910 pages
SOHO, SMEs
SOHO, SMEs
SOHO, SMEs
899.00
1299.00
2480.00
MFP with print/copy/scan functions. Use the same inkjet cartridge as DCP-145C.
MFP with print/copy/scan/ fax functions. Use the same cartridge as DCP-145C, DCP-165C.
A3+ size graphics design printer. High speed, low printing cost and high quality printing output.
Model Name Engine Manufacturer
Resolution
Paper Handling Standard Network support
Market sector Retail price(CNY) Comments
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May 2010 | www.visitremax.com.cn
Recycling Times Magazine
Market Data
Lexmark
Lexmark
Lexmark
Brother
Pro208
X7675
S408
DCP-145C
Lexmark
Lexmark
Lexmark
Brother
33
32
33
27
30
27
30
22
4800×1200dpi
4800×2400dpi
4800×1200dpi
1200×6000dpi
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
100 sheet multipurpose tray
100 sheet multipurpose tray
100 sheet multipurpose tray
100 sheet multipurpose tray
USB, PictBridge, wireless network
USB, PictBridge, standard
USB, PictBridge, wireless network
USB, PictBridge
Black 14N0346 NA
Black 18Y0144A NA
Black 14N0346 NA
Black LC990BK 450 pages
NA
Color 18Y0143A NA
NA
NA
Cyan 14N0347 NA
NA
Cyan 14N0347 NA
Cyan LC990C 550 pages
Magenta 14N0381 NA
NA
Magenta 14N0381 Not specific
Magenta LC990M 550 pages
Yellow 14N0384 NA
NA
Yellow 14N0384 NA
Yellow LC990Y 550 pages
Black/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow 108XL NA
Black 18Y0142A NA
Black/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow 108XL NA
NA
Black/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow 108XLA NA
Color 18Y0141A NA
Black/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow 108XLA NA
NA
SOHO, SMEs
SOHO, SMEs
SOHO, SMEs
SOHO, SMEs
1899.00
3880.00
1699.00
899.00
MFP with print/copy/scan/ fax functions. Support duplex printing.
MFP with print/copy/scan/ fax functions. Optional ACCU-FEED paper handling system, no paper jam
MFP with print/copy/scan/ fax functions. Standard connectivity. Support USB Direct Print & PictBridge, Easy to print photos and scan the document to U disc and memorizer.
MFP with print/copy/scan functions. The page yield of the inkjet cartridge equipped is less than the standard one though.
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Recycling Times Magazine
Market Data
Color Inkjet Printers Part 1 Color Inkjet Printers Speed Below 20ppm Vendor
HP
HP
HP
Deskjet D2668
Deskjet D5568
Deskjet K109a
Engine Manufacturer
HP
HP
HP
Monochrome
28
28
28
Colour
21
21
21
4800×1200dpi
4800×1200dpi
4800×1200dpi
Inkjet cartridge quantity
2
2
2
Type of cartridge
4
4
4
80 sheet multipurpose tray
80 sheet multipurpose tray
80 sheet multipurpose tray
USB
USB, wireless external print servers
USB
Black Part No. Estimated life
Black CC640ZZ 200 pages
Black CC640ZZ 200 pages
Black CD887AA 600 pages
Color Part No. Estimated life
Color CC643ZZ 165 pages
Color CC643ZZ 165 pages
Color CD888AA 250 pages
Cyan Part No. Estimated life
NA
NA
NA
Magenta Part No. Estimated life
NA
NA
NA
Yellow Part No. Estimated life
NA
NA
NA
Other consumables Part No. Estimated life
Black CC641ZZ 600 pages
Black CC641ZZ 600 pages
NA
Other consumables Part No. Estimated life
Color CC644ZZ 330 pages
Color CC644ZZ 330 pages
NA
Personal, SOHO
Personal, SOHO
Personal, SOHO
399.00
599.00
699.00
With ink level indicator. Easy to manage.
Avoid red eye technology. Wireless card and four and six color cartridges can be switches for printing.
Reasonable price, reliable performance.
Model Name
Resolution
Paper Handling Standard Network support
Market sector Retail price(CNY) Comments
48
May 2010 | www.visitremax.com.cn