Recycling Times Magazine English Edition-Issue 43

CONTENTS

5

RECYCLING

TIMES No. 43 | 2013

07 | EDITORIAL

59 | TECH ZONE Remanufacturing the Samsung SCX-6555 Toner Cartridges

09 | NEWS IN BRIEF Inkjets Drive Growth of Global Printer Market

61 | MONEY FROM HOME Summer’s a Bummer for Toner

10 | WORLD NEWS

63 | MY WORD Short Step or Long Leap?

13 | LEGAL UPDATES HP Recommends Remanufacturers to Make Further Changes

65 | PATENTLY SPEAKING US President Limits ITCs Authority

15 | JUST A MINUTE It’s in Their DNA

67 | KEEPING UP Smartphones Sales Push Color Mobile Printing

15 | TRENDS World Hardcopy Market Picked Up in Units Shipped & Value 23 | AFTERMARKET NEWS Delacamp Boasts Largest Chemical Toner Line Up 45 | OEM NEWS HP Reports Hardware Shipments Up, Supplies Revenue Down

49 | ENVIRONMENT 51 | NEW PRODUCTS 53 | REGIONAL NEWS

54 | IN MY VIEW

The 2013 annual meeting of the Zhuhai Printing Consumable Industry Association was held in Shenzhen, China. More than 80 delegates attended to discuss the challenges and opportunities characterizing China’s current printing consumables industry.

FEATURES

18

68 | THE LISTS

32 | FRONT COVER STORY A Conservative Innovator: Ninestar's Jackson Wang Takes One Step at a Time

From Black & White to 3D: How Printing Has Changed in the 21st Century

3D printing is likely to bring about a revolution spurring new technologies that could not have been imagined by 2D printer experts five years ago.

27

The Rise of BYOD Is Changing the World of Printing

Companies embracing BYOD have already seen the benefits of enhanced productivity, increased sales and greater profits. So, what is DYOD? 39 57 | PEOPLE What is the Real Deal in Sales Today?

Tom Bersch, President, Veteran Toner Services

Trickle Feed Developer Replenishment

Cartridges that use TFR help the OEM protect its consumable sales business from aftermarket suppliers, and it's not easy to copy.

Recycling Times informs, educates, and nurtures the global printer consumables industry innovatively through an integrated broadcast, print, digital and social media strategy. As such, we honor and respect the intellectual property of all businesses and individuals. Consequently, we take a zero tolerance position to the manufacture, distribution and sale of patent infringing “cloned” and counterfeit printer cartridges and components. We continue to strive to avoid promoting such in our advertisements, articles and editorial content.

All rights reserved. © October 2013 by Recycling Times Media Corporation. The contents are not be to copied or republished without official written consent.

Editorial content may not necessarily represent the official position or view of Recycling Times Corporation.

Readers should apply due deligence when doing businesss with any advertiser or company listed in this publication.

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

EDITORIAL

7

Tony Lee After almost a year in preparation, RemaxAsia Expo 2013 will officially kick off October 16 in Zhuhai, China. It’s like expecting the birth of a baby: full of hope, anticipation and excitement! Mainly, I’m looking forward to three things.

First, there is Conference@2013: Preparing for Change. The original intention of our holding such a meeting was to bring together two “entirely opposite” parties—Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Cartridge Remanufacturers. Our goal is to promote communication between them by encouraging their networking under one roof. The purpose is to lead the consumables industry down a healthier path by finding common ground between the two groups of players constituting our Industry.

With the participation of OEM delegates, this year’s conference brings Publisher & Managing Director Tony Lee

Directors David Gibbons

Sabrina Lo

Consulting Editors Art Diamond

Phyllis Gurgevich

Editorial Team Doris Huang, Doris.Huang@iRecyclingTimes.com Jane Yu, Lisa Liang, Violien Wu, Virginia Ruan, Wendy Lee

Graphic Designers Miracle Wei, Kevin Deng

Sales Team Kevin.Zhu, Kevin.Zhu@irecyclingtimes.com Abby Wang, Tobee Deng, Victoria Zhao

Marketing Team Jessica Yin, Jessica.Yin@iRecyclingTimes.com Randall Zhang, Sam Ho, Tracy Zhang

Operations Team Charles Lee, Charles.Lee@iRecyclingTimes.com Betty Lee, Candy Chen

Subcriptions Joy He, Joy.He@irecyclingtimes.com

Regional Contributors Bevelen Sudhu (Africa), Ivan Rosales (Latin America) José Bustamante (Europe), Maurice Aiken (Australasia)

Regional Offices China 6B Xinhai Commercial Building,104 Yuanlin Road, Jida, Zhuhai 519000 Tel: +86 (0)756 3220716 / 3919266 Fax: +86 (0)756 3220717

Australia 24 Ardley Ave Kellyville, NSW 2155

USA 530 West Ojai Ave., Suite 108 Ojai, CA 93023-2471

us one step closer to that goal. Vincent Vanderpoel, former HP Vice President, will address the conference on Latest Trends and Implications for Print Consumables Manufacturing Industries.

HP’s Matthew Barkley and Elizabeth Porter will talk about HP LaserJet Chips—Recommended Changes to Avoid Brand Misidentification. And Lexmark’s Worldwide Brand Protection Manager will take part in the exchange by joining our panel discussion. What sparks will OEMs and the aftermarket generate? I can’t wait to find out!

Second, apart from traditional products displayed at previous Expos, some new printing applications will be shown by our exhibitors this year. Currently, the products the aftermarket now manufactures and sells are standard goods representing only a fraction of the entire printing process.

It’s difficult to create added value for our customers through such standard products.

We need to expand our thinking so as to meet all of the market demands. Therefore, we invite you to explore more possibilities by viewing the offerings of some exhibitors. Please pay attention, especially to the products Print-Rite, ColorMake and Fotobook4U have on display at RemaxAsia. You may find a new solution to expand your business.

Third, at the same venue as RemaxAsia Expo, you will find iPrint (China) Expo 2013—a show focused on digital presses and commercial printing. Here, a 3D printing zone has been allocated to give visitors a brand-new experience by displaying the future of 3D printing with a working device. Visitors will be able to examine personalized 3D printer products and see digital presses and commercial printing equipment in operation.

What else would you expect to see at RemaxAsia Expo? For me, I expect to see you there so that I can extend a warm welcome on behalf of Recycling Times and wish you an eye-opening experience at the largest printer supplies conference and exposition on the planet!

Mexico Ave. Jalisco #141, El Mante, CP 45235 Zapopan, Jalisco Email: info@iRecyclingTimes.com Website: www.iRecyclingTimes.com

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

9

NEWS IN BRIEF Staples Boasts 350 Million Ink & Toner Cartridges Recycled

Inkjets Drive Growth of Global Printer Market

India Sees Dramatic Decline in Single-Function Printers

According to Staples Inc, they have recycled 350 million ink and toner cartridges. It reached the milestone rate of 60 million cartridges per year in 2010.

Altogether 182 million pounds (82.5 million kg) of plastics and metal have been recycled by Staples, which is equivalent to 400 times the weight of the Statue of Liberty, or one aircraft carrier. Mark Buckley at Staples, said, “As the largest retail recycler of ink and toner in North America, Staples is thrilled to be the first to reach this milestone, as we help customers reduce their environmental footprint and save money at the same time.”

In its report on the Global Printer Market 2012-2016, TechNavio's analysts expect the Global Printer market to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% over the period 2012 to 2016. The Report finds an increasing demand for inkjet printers is one of the key factors driving the printer market Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, TechNavio is a technology research and advisory company offering global coverage.

The Global Printer Report includes markets in the Americas, the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) and Asia Pacific regions. It covers the Global Printer market landscape and its growth prospects in the near future.

A report from CyberMedia Research (CMR) reveals that single-function printers decreased from 49% to 44% in the overall India A4 printer market in 2Q2013. HP maintained its lead with a 47% share in sales, while Canon ranked second with 20% and Epson ranked third with 13%.

In this same period, multi-function inkjet printers grew 5% in sales compared to the same quarter of the previous year. HP also leads in this sector with a 52% share, followed by Canon with 23% and Epson with 22%.

The A4 laser printer market grew by 6% in 2Q2013 compared with the year-ago period.

In the overall laser sector, single-function laser printers declined by 14%, while multi-function laser printers grew by 38% in 2Q 2013 yearover-year.

Read more: bit.ly/research4353 ■

Read more: bit.ly/cmr4367 ■

CSL, Pelikan Cancel Sales Agreement

UK Debate Over Government Switch to Paperless

China Stationery Ltd. (CSL) has cancelled its distribution deal with Pelikan International Corp Bhd (Pelikan) because of a failure to reach an agreement on the prices of products to be sold in China. In December of 2012, Pelikan signed a twoyear, non-exclusive, dealership agreement with CSL, in which CSL would distribute and sell office and school stationery products marketed by Pelikan under the "Pelikan" trademark. The agreement was limited to sales in China and Hong Kong.

According to CSL, the two key reasons for suspension of the relationship were cultural differences between the two companies and differences of opinion on pricing strategy.

A report claims that by eliminating paper for interactions within and between departments and digitizing its activities and services, government could save £70 billions (US$ 31 billion) by 2020. That projection triggered a response from Two Sides, a UK industry lobbying group. It pointed out that 26% UK consumers print up to 20% of significant documents at home, challenging the report’s use of the term paperless. Director Martyn Eustace of Two Sides said: "There’s an automatic assumption that digital is better. It’s incredible what we can do these days with digital information. But you have to recognize that paper-based media and printing is still an absolute necessity for a lot of people, and also the medium of choice for many others."

Read more: bit.ly/csl4354 ■

Read more: bit.ly/paperless4361

Read more: bit.ly/staples4306 Watch more: bit.ly/recycle8603 ■

Bottom Feeding Paper Printer Prototyped

As a university diploma project, Mugi Yamamoto invented the Stack, a machine which draws from a pile of pages beneath it and forms a new heap of paper with users’ printed jobs on top. According to the young inventor, the size of the new design is much smaller than traditional printers.

In his invention, the paper tray, the bulkiest component of most printers, as pointed out by Yamamoto, has been eliminated.

Besides, the invention makes reloading a lesser problem. The frequency of paper refills differs depending on the height of the paper stack.

Read more: bit.ly/invent4312 Watch more: bit.ly/papereater ■

■

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

10 WORLD NEWS

01

04

Vital Products to Expand through Acquisition

Latin-American Expo Considered For Mexico

Vital Products, Inc. (VTPI), is a supplier of remanufactured and aftermarket laser and inkjet printer cartridges. Established in 2005, it claims to have witnessed enormous growth over the last several periods.

Planning to continue that pattern, the company announced it will focus on expansion. VTPI’s CEO Jim McKinney noted that, "Vital Products is very excited to add to our existing partners, Century Computer Products Inc. and Reliable Printing Solutions. We are actively looking for companies to acquire that fit our growth model in both the distribution and manufacturing sectors.”

Read more: bit.ly/vtpi4360 ■

02 Toner Covers A Trillion Pages Katun Corporation announced one trillion pages have been produced using its color and monochrome toners, since 1979.

Todd Mavis, Katun President and CEO, deemed it as a significant achievement, and thanked all customers and partners for helping it achieve this milestone.

In April, Recycling Times reported Katun’s color toners had produced over 25 billion color pages since its establishment. The company even launched a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal to thank its customers, employees and partners.

Organizers are calling for an expression of interest from suppliers, recyclers and distributors in a Spanishspeaking trade show in Cancun, Mexico. This would be the first time in almost seven years that the Spanish-speaking industry has assembled for courses, seminars, updates, contact with suppliers and liaison between recyclers and associations. So said Ivan Rosales, who runs the Latin American office for Recycling Times Media.

Read more: bit.ly/mexico4342 ■

05

05

DCI Expands Production Capacity, Alters Strategy on Epson Cartridges

02 01

06 03

DCI Jet Tec announced it has doubled its remanufacturing 04 production capacity at its production facility, resulting from its continued organic growth, new customers and its environmental strategy which include the addition of Epson remanufactured products to its product range.

Meanwhile, as part of the settlement of a twoyear legal dispute with Epson, the addition of remanufactured Epson cartridges will replace its Epson-compatible, aftermarket cartridges.

Read more: bit.ly/dci4304 ■

Read more: bit.ly/katun4323 ■

03 Turbon America Acquires Clarity Imaging Technologies

06 LVL to Expand Facility in France

Turbon America Inc., the U.S. arm of Turbon Group— a leader in the aftermarket imaging supplies business for more than 40 years, has acquired Clarity Imaging Technologies (Clarity), a well-known, aftermarket distributor of remanufactured laser toner cartridges. According to Turbon, the company has been the key supplier to Clarity of their jointly developed, patented, double yield cartridges. Despite the acquisition, Clarity said it will continue to operate independently, offering laser toner products with the highest level of quality.

To meet potential business opportunities, French-based aftermarket cartridge collector and supplier LVL has announced it is expanding its warehouse and workshop operations. The new facility, just 1 kilometer away from its current site in La Chevroliére, comprises an area of 2,306 square meters, 67% larger than its current complex.

Construction started in May 2013 and the company expects to move in early in 2014. As was claimed by the company, the building will be environmentally friendly, meeting French ICPE (Installation classée pour la protection de l’Environnement) standards.

Read more: bit.ly/turbon4346 ■

Read more: bit.ly/lvl4340 ■

Issue43|www.iRecyclingTimes.com

11

WORLD NEWS

07

09

Leading Remanufacturer Shuts Down

Ricoh Opens Bottle Recovery, Refilling Center in India

Cartrec, a toner cartridge remanufacturer based in the Netherlands, shut its business down after a 26-year history.

Founder and Owner of Cartrec, Jan Luijks, noted that Cartrec is one of the 18,000 SMBs in the Netherlands which were shed

by Deutsche Bank and Cartrec says it was hard for them to find another bank to provide working capital. He said the company has struggled to lower costs and restructure its business, making it hard to move forward. Further, Luijks says Cartrec's business customers will be cared for by the Cartridge Factory B.V.

Ricoh opened a recovery and refilling center for used multifunction printer (MFP) toner bottles in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. Ricoh said an "On-demand toner filling machine" drives this facility with a machine developed using Ricoh's unique expertise in space and cost saving technology. The company pointed out that the new center in India encourages customers to use new resources and shorten the time for product supply without heavily relying on imports. It will also help reduce environmental footprints like CO2 emissions during transportation and will optimize inventory.

Read more: bit.ly/cartrec4325 ■

Read more: bit.ly/ricoh4313 ■

10

07

Chongqing Printer Exports Surged

08

Digital inkjet and laser printers exported from Chongqing in the months between January and July of 2013, reached 9.406 million units, ranking second in the province’s total commodities exported.

The total revenue of all commodities exported from Chongqing in this period was US$25.23 billion, with a growth of 13.4% over the same period in 2012. Revenue gained from exported printers alone was US$1.17 billion, revealing printer production in Chongqing has expanded dramatically.

10 09

Read more: bit.ly/export4332 ■

08 Italian Police Bust Counterfeit Cartridge Business The police in Lamezia Terme—a city in southern Italy—conducted a raid which seized counterfeit inkjet and toner cartridges worth €900,000 (USD$1.18 million). The raid was conducted at the request of prosecutors and local magistrates in a fraud case against six local businesses, two companies and another individual firm. It reported that investigations there had been done through the misappropriation of European Union (EU) and national funds.

Read more: bit.ly/italy4347 ■

11

11

12

Penfold Complains Unfair Government Tendering Penfold by Office Choice accused the Australian government of malpractice in printer cartridge supplier procurement. It lost out to US giants Staples and Office Max in supplying toner cartridges for government owned printers, a $10 million-a-year business. It claims tender rules were changed, allowing for purchase of refilled cartridges as well as brand new ones. Penfold said the same cartridges could have been available from them at one third the cost, but the company was never given the chance.

Read more: bit.ly/supplier4326 Watch more: bit.ly/unfair8702 ■

12 Lexmark Names Synnex as New Australian Distributor Lexmark Asia Pacific has appointed Synnex as its local distributor of the OEM’s printer and print solution portfolio. With over 6,000 resellers, Synnex Australia is among the top two IT distributors in Australia. The company has been investing in the printer category in the past few years.

Lexmark believes “Synnex’s national presence will aid in expanding the reach of its channel network, potentially leading to improved levels of support and new avenues for business”.

Read more: bit.ly/lexmark4337 ■ www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

LLEGAL UPDATES Impression Products Moves to Dismiss Lexmark Again Impression Products has moved to dismiss Lexmark’s case against them for a second time in the US District Court of Southern Ohio. Previously, Lexmark accused Impression of selling infringing, remanufactured cartridges, which were originally sold as new cartridges outside of the United States. Lexmark then informed the court it was also pursuing cartridges under its pre-bate program (which

Impression believes restricts purchasers from buying refurbished or replacement cartridges from anyone but Lexmark).

Following the United States Supreme Court decision to invalidate pre-bate programs (as per Quanta v. LG Electronics) and since Lexmark has specifically raised the prebate issue, Impression is asking again for a dismissal of the case against them.

Read more: bit.ly/dismiss4377 ■

HP Recommends Remanufacturers to Make Further Changes HP will meet with cartridge remanufacturers, to advise them how to avoid infringing its intellectual property with the use of aftermarket microchips.

HP's Matthew Barkley and Elizabeth Porter (below) will speak at the annual Conference@2013 at the Holiday Inn in

Zhuhai on October 16. Barkley says HP has recently notified some prominent chip manufacturers that their replacement chips for certain models of HP toner cartridges provide misleading messages to end users.

“HP would like to share these issues with the broader aftermarket community, as well as other considerations that have not yet been shared with any party. The intent would be to ensure all manufacturers have the suitable information to make changes to their products or demand compliant products from their suppliers.”

Read more: bit.ly/change4370 ■

13

US Lawyer Challenges OEMs to Do More Original equipment O m manufacturers (OEMs) in the imaging ind industry, who hold ggeneral exclusion orders (GEOs) in the USA, have been challenged to do more if they really want to stop infringing products at the borders. Very few holders of GEOs are actually taking the necessary time to educate customs and border control authorities, says patent attorney Steven Adkins (pictured).

Adkins says these exclusion orders are only as good as the people who have them. Meeting with customs officials and teaching them what they need to know about their products vs. their competition, is essential to protecting against the importation of infringing products. And U.S. Customs authorities are receptive to this interaction.

Watch more: bit.ly/oem8703 ■

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

TRENDS

15

JUST A MINUTE DAVID GIBBONS

World Hardcopy Market Picked Up in Units Shipped & Value IDC reports signs of recovery in the hardcopy peripherals market. Its data shows the total worldwide hardcopy market value in 2Q2013 was $13.8 billion, posting a decline of just -1.7% year over year (YoY). The market has witnessed its smallest YoY decline in unit shipments (-1.8%) since 4Q2011.

Shipments in 2Q2013 reached 26.1 million units.

IDC is optimistic about the segments demonstrating growth opportunities, especially the higher speed monochrome segments (3144 ppm and 45-69 ppm) and the total color laser market. It also anticipates that initiatives such as managed print services (MPS) and wider availability

of digitally-based content will continue to gradually shift hardcopy peripheral devices away from the desktop and toward more shared and centralized machines.

Read more: bit.ly/idc4320 ■

Inkjet Shrinks, Laser Picks Up According to IDC report, the inkjet market shrank 6%YoY in 2Q2013, but it is still the dominant hardcopy peripherals technology segment with a 58% unit share. Some 15.1 million inkjet

devices were shipped in 2Q2013, 85% of which were multi-function printers (MFPs).

In 2Q2013, the monochrome laser market increased by 3.5%. Monochrome laser devices continue to rank second in both units shipped (8.2 million) and shipment value ($5.4 billion). In terms of shipment value, monochrome laser units have a 31% share of the hardcopy peripherals market unit shipments and a 39% share of shipment value.

The color laser market remained the strongest technology growth segment with 9.7% YoY growth in 2Q2013.

Romania’s Printer Sector Declines According to Balkans.com Business News (BBN), Romania's Technical Consumer Goods (TCG) market posted a slight increase of 4.7% in the second quarter of 2013 (2Q2013), compared to the same quarter of 2012. The first half of 2013 brought about an increase of 4.3% over the first 6 months of 2012. The total value of TCG amounted to €699 million (US$937 million).

BBN’s data showed the printers and multifunctional device sector witnessed a decline of 8.8% in 2Q2013 when compared to 2Q2012, the total value being €6 million (US$8 million). Multifunctional laser devices were stagnant, providing some balance to the downward trend of the sector. The total value of inkjet products continued to shrink.

Read more: bit.ly/ decline4305 ■ www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

David.Gibbons@irecyclingtimes.com

It’s in Their DNA Following the general exclusion order (GEO) granted to Canon in June, China’s cartridge remanufacturing giant, PrintRite, has taken the uncommon approach to get its US-based customers to meet with US Customs.

The US market is too important to them—as it is to countless others—to just pack up and walk away, China gave the world papermaking, ink, block printing and many other ingenious imaging inventions.

“Inventiveness” is in the culture, and in the very DNA of these industrious people.

So when market forces change direction, they will discover new products, new methods, new work around solutions.

This latest move is a classic example.

The clone invasion these last 4-5 years, also illustrates this. The market demand for cheaper, compatible print consumables drove them to find alternative supply solutions, and clones were among the results. This strategy is not one the industry should endorse, because it blatantly abuses the intellectual property of the OEMs. Our plea to buyers (who create the demand) as well as manufacturers (who create the supply) is to desist from the production and marketing of clones.

Canon requested the International Trade Commission (ITC)—which is expected to protect trade entering the US against such patent infringing products— issue a GEO that shuts everyone in the world out of this market. Even those not listed on the ITC complaint are banned— not just patent-infringing clones.

Ahead of the impending action, PrintRite designed, patented and produced its own legitimate drum gear coupling, as did some others. However, it took additional steps to ensure its proprietary components would not be blocked— because it’s in their DNA to do so.

In an exclusive interview, Steven Adkins—their patent lawyer specializing in Section 337 investigations before the ITC and at US Customs—explained to me Print-Rite has taken unusual steps to deliver what he calls an “iron-clad” solution for their US customers. Adkins set up meetings between Print-Rite’s customers—some of whom flew across the country—and Customs officials.

Customs confirmed that so long as they imported Print-Rite product into the US, using the patented, trade-marked product, there would be no problem.

In my view, such “inventiveness” DNA is in all of us, meaning we can model our business strategies, and think more “outside of the box”.

You can watch my interview with Steve Adkins at bit.ly/printrite8601.

Issue43|www.iRecyclingTimes.com

INNOVATION

19

According to Faces of Innovation, there was an era when offices literally buzzed with the sound of dot-matrix printers churning out letters, memos, and invoices; perforated paper unfolding from a stack stored behind or beneath them. Today printing technology has evolved from two-dimensional images and text to 3D tools, toys and other objects. 3D printers have transformed the Internet from a forum of text and ideas to a medium through which people can share real, physical objects. Through high-speed broadband Internet, large 3D files can be shared around the world instantly. 3D printing technology is likely to bring about a revolution in innovation and product development spurring new technologies that could not have been imagined five years ago.

The first modern printers were birthed during an era where PC-compatible computers had no on-screen graphics

3D printing technology is likely to bring about a revolution in innovation and product development spurring new technologies that could not have been imagined five years ago capabilities. This is to say all they could produce was text or a crude (but often clever) use of characters to represent a drawing. Think of a smiley face in an email using a colon, and an open parenthesis). That was the graphic capability of most PCs. With the advent of the graphical user interface and word processing programs, like Word Perfect and later Microsoft Word, the need for printers that could reproduce what was on your screen became obvious.

HP and Apple produced the first laser printers in 1984 and 1985 respectively the HP LaserJet was built for a business

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

INNOVATION

21

environment and sold for $3,495 3D printing is used for rapid instance, scientists are using a 3D printer ($7,855 today). The first HP laser printer prototyping of complicated parts that to create living bone by using stem designed for consumer use wouldn’t hit would otherwise require expensive and cells as “ink.” Even NASA is using the market for five years. It was half as time-consuming machining. 3D printing 3D printers, recently printing a rocket fast as that first commercial printer – is “additive,” while machining involves engine injector shaving 8 months off four pages per minute – and still cost cutting material away to form the final development time and reducing costs by $1,495 ($2,815 today). shape, a “subtractive” process.

70 percent.

Through all that time the laser printers 3D printers are also used for lowBeyond using this new technology were like Model Ts: You could print in quantity manufacturing of everything to just produce rocket parts, 3D any color you wanted as long as it was from replacement parts of large machines printers could drastically change space black. to dental implants and other medical exploration. If space shuttles have 3D Today we don’t think twice about our objects. printers they can create tools and parts printers until we see the prices of in space, instead of waiting months replacement ink cartridges. They for a new mission to transport are fast, reliable, and will print What, an innovator named Chuck the supplies. All they need is a whatever you can send to it in communications link to earth to Hull asked in the mid-1980s, whatever color(s) you desire. transmit the object’s 3D model. would happen if we laid down And now we are seeing an 3D printers are adding another evolution from 2D to 3D printing. medium of communication to the two microscopic layers or two In general, every printer works Internet. Where the Internet has thousand, and instead of ink we been used to share text, photos, approximately the same way: A microscopic amount of ink from a voice and videos, the addition of used plastic or metal? ribbon or a cartridge is laid down 3D printing allows for the sharing on the paper. What, an innovator of actual products and full ideas. named Chuck Hull asked in the midAs with laser technology printers, And because of high-speed broadband, 1980s, would happen if we laid down the price of 3D printers has come down large 3D files can be shared in mere two microscopic layers or two thousand, dramatically. A quick search of Amazon. seconds. Pairing printing technology with and instead of ink we used plastic or com brings up a 3D printer (that gets broadband Internet only increases the metal?

41/2 starts from reviewers) selling for power of both products, and may soon The answer was 3D printing. $1,199. Not free, but far from the $20,000 change the way businesses innovate, According to PC Magazine, they define price tag that was attached to the earliest products are made and how we live. this “additive fabrication” process as: models.

That’s a lot of innovation in just a few Building plastic and metal parts directly The falling price and improving decades. ■ from CAD [Computer Aided Design] technology has made 3D printers Thanks to Faces of Innovation and drawings that have been cross sectioned improved products in many highBroadband for America for their into thousands of layers. It provides cost industries. In the medical field permission to publish this article. a faster and less costly alternative to 3D printers are producing customized, See www.facesofinnovation.org machining (cutting, turning, grinding and lightweight, casts and testing has begun drilling solid materials). on printing with live human cells. For www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

AFTERMARKET NEWS Toner Plant Up for Sale Diamond Research Corporation (DRC) has been commissioned to find a buyer for the Kodak Toner Plant and/or its equipment, located in the city of Kirkby of England. Designed by Kodak scientists and engineers, the Kirkby plant consists of 5,500m2 of floor space, including 1,208m2 of office and 1,858m2 of warehouse area. It is capable of producing both monochrome and color toners with a capacity of more than 500kg per hour. The manufacturing process uses conventional

70.4 Million Collections

melt-mixing in a compounding extruder followed by cooling, granulat-ing, jet pulverizing and classifica-tion.

Contact Art Diamond for more details: drc@west.net Read more: bit.ly/drc4316 ■

Ivan Rosales Joins Recycling Times Media Well known industry identity Ivan Rosales will help expand the Latin American market for Recycling Times Media, working as a Latin American representative,, while co. based in Mexico. tact He will contact key players in the Latin American

23

industry: dealers, recyclers, importers, merchants and advertisers, helping Recycling Times to expand the influence of its i trade show and magazine. Ivan says, "W "We're working on the Spanish version ma magazine and the implementation and ma management of a digital network in Latin Am America to fill the void between cartridge rec recyclers, which encourages contact, trade, technological dissemination and participation at our events. "

Clover Technologies issued a Sustainability Report highlighting its environmental achievements in 2012.

The company has collected 70.4 million units of recycled products, keeping 49.9 million pounds (22.6 million kg) of materials from landfill.

It has retrieved 97% of post-consumer recycled content (PCRC) of average ink jet ink cartridges and 90% PCRC of toner cartridges.

During 2012, FundingFactory, one of Clover’s innovative programs has collected 1,981,574 units inkjet cartridges and 1,263,176 toner cartridges.

Read more: bit.ly/clover4327 ■

Read more: bit.ly/ivan4348 ■

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

AFTERMARKET NEWS

Delacamp Boasts Largest Chemical Toner Line Up Delacamp says it now has 76 different chemical toner products, the largest line up in the global aftermarket. Its chemical toner line up includes products for remanufactured HP, Canon, Brother cartridges.

Delacamp’s COO Volker Kappius said, “We are determined to work closely with our top class suppliers to offer chemical toner for all cartridges designed for use with chemical toner by the OEM. This is the only way to enable our industry to offer high quality remanufactured color cartridges.”

Read more: bit.ly/delacamp4364 ■

25

MSE Granted Patent for “Toner Out” Alert Micro Solutions Enterprises (MSE), one of the world’s leading toner cartridge remanufacturers, based in Van Nuys, California, announced it has been granted a U.S. patent for a seal and a method. The company explained the method enables the “Toner Out” alert to function properly when using MSE remanufactured 43X cartridges for the HP 9000 laser printer.

In addition, MSE noted the patent is its 24th and the company believes its

development of technologies and processes has helped expand the reputation of the aftermarket over the last 20 years.

Read more: bit.ly/mse4349 ■

Print-Rite Customers Agree to Meet with US Customs Lawyers working with Print-Rite in the U.S. have set up meetings between customers and Customs authorities in Long Beach California. Steven Adkins— a trial lawyer specializing in Section 337 investigations before the United States International Trade Commission and at U.S. Customs—said Print-Rite has taken actions to care for their customers, and to ensure supplies are not disrupted, following the recent Canon GEO. According to Adkins, “Print-Rite has obtained a US patent on that product,

and got a risk-free clearance for its new product so that Customs will not seize the Print-Rite No-Twist™ product.”

Read more: bit.ly/pr4324 Watch more: bit.ly/printrite8601 ■

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

BYOD

27

THE RISE OF BYOD IS CHANGING THE WORLD OF PRINTING Anthony Morgan, PrintWare

Turn the Page>> www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

BYOD

29

BYOD is set to transform the way we do installing the appropriate drivers. This is challenge for businesses is to adapt to the business and to revolutionize workplace done when you first set up the printer and changes and ensure that their technology is practices. If you’re not already familiar should only take a couple of minutes. up-to-date. with BYOD, the chances are that you A standard wireless setup enables access To fully enable and benefit from BYOD, soon will be. It stands for Bring Your from a range of devices but requires your print infrastructure needs to support Own Device and refers to the growing users to first download a mobile printing it, which means that you need to embrace practice of employees using their personal app. Given the variety of third party wireless or cloud printing. This means computing devices at work. apps available, it would be wise to place you’ll need a system that supports printing Globally, 60% of companies report that restrictions on which ones can be used. from mobile devices, specifically: tablets most employees use their own devices on Use of multiple software solutions can and smartphones. the job. This is according to market result in inconsistent processes and research carried out by Avanade an app from an untrustworthy source Wireless printing is growing (Boston, MA) and is part of an can pose a security risk to your IT increasingly popular at home overall shift towards more flexible network. working practices. BYOD was Wireless printing is growing and at work, as most families almost unheard of before 2009 but increasingly popular at home and own several mobile devices and at work, as most families own is fast becoming the norm for the majority of businesses.

BYOD is fast becoming the norm several mobile devices and BYOD Avanade claims that 54% of is fast becoming the norm in many in many workplaces companies reported a majority of workplaces. employees use smartphones at work, while the figure is 33% for tablets. Far Wireless Printing Cloud Printing A wireless printer allows you to print “Cloud” refers to web-based software from being a trend or fad, BYOD is here directly from a mobile device without the and applications, which are accessed via to stay and is yielding tangible benefits for need for a cable (hard wiring). The mobile the Internet with no need to download any companies that offer it. device (usually a smartphone or tablet) software to your device. Cloud computing For example, companies offering BYOD services have really taken off in the last are 54% more likely to see increased profits and printer must be connected to the same WiFi network via a wireless router. If the couple of years and many of the everyday and 73% more likely to report improved printer and mobile device support WiFi services that we all use are cloud-based. sales and new customer acquisition.

Direct, then there’s no need for a router.

These include Hotmail, Facebook, Enhanced processes and flexible practices Before you start wireless printing, you’ll Google Docs and YouTube. All the lead to more productive employees and a need to ensure that your printer is ready by software and data is stored on the more positive customer experience. With going through the WiFi setup process and company’s servers and you simply access the potential for increased profits, the www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

BYOD

31

the service via the net. None of the access your IT network. Managing printers • The devices don’t need to be in the information sits on your device and you or print jobs via the cloud is also easy; same location. As long as they’re both don’t need to download any software to you can track print jobs or modify sharing connected to the web, you can print from access the service. rights at any time with just a few clicks. anywhere The principle behind Google Cloud Print Google Cloud Print can also be used • As long as the printer stays connected is exactly the same – you can connect a to support a business print infrastructure, to the web, its drivers and firmware will be printer to the cloud and print to it without instead of a traditional IT network. It’s updated automatically, thereby eliminating downloading any drivers or software. possible to use Cloud Print to share time consuming software installations Almost any printer can be used as a cloud printers across your business and, for • Any printer can be set up as a cloud printer but a cloud ready device will printer—many printers are cloud automatically connect itself to the ready right out of the box, but any cloud server upon installation. Once Unlike wireless printing, cloud printer capable of connecting to the the connection is established, the web can be a cloud printer printing allows you to print device will stay connected to the • Cloud printers are potentially from any web-connected device, more secure as guests can access the cloud and any drivers or firmware will be updated automatically. printers without needing to access regardless of location Unlike wireless printing, cloud your IT network printing allows you to print from Although an increasing number of any web-connected device, regardless of example, to print to whichever device is printers are cloud ready out of the box, any location. Printing is usually as simple as most convenient printer that can connect to the web can be selecting Cloud Print from print settings, Using Cloud Print in this way lessens the set up as a cloud printer. This means that or a drop-down menu, and hitting “print”. burden on your network as all software and you may be able to set up Google Cloud When you print to a cloud printer, your drivers are stored on the Google servers.

Print with your existing hardware. document is sent via a secure https As the printers stay permanently connected connection. Once printed, the document is to the cloud, it also eliminates the need for Join the Revolution!

Companies embracing BYOD have then deleted from the cloud server. software updates, saving time and money already seen the benefits of enhanced Sharing printers is easy using Google while ensuring that network security is productivity, increased sales and greater Cloud Print, making it convenient for always maintained. profits. So, join the revolution! ■ visitors to your home or business premises Cloud printing has some advantages to access your printer without having to over WiFi printing:

Anthony Morgan is the blog writer and copywriter for Printware Ltd. in the UK, with over 5 years experience in the industry and a background in advertising and financial services. Writing for Printware, Anthony has covered a range of topics with a particular focus on new technology, consumer advice and green issues.

His articles can be read online at printware.co.uk <anthonym@printware.co.uk> www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

32 FRONT COVER STORY

Issue43|www.iRecyclingTimes.com

FRONT COVER STORY

CONSERVATIVE INNOVATOR： JACKSON WANG TAKES ONE STEP AT A TIME

33

From Vision to Reality From an aerial view, the 250,000m² industry park looks like a bird’s wings stretching to reach the blue sky. Official buildings, factories, warehouses and dormitories line up in rows, decorating those wings. Trucks bearing company logo depart, one-by-one, from the industry park.

Each is loaded with products destined for shipment to far flung destinations around the world.

In one factory, workers busily assemble and package cartridges streaming off production lines. In another plant, thousands of laser printers are being made—they all share one single, distinctive name: Pantum.

This is all a part of the vision of Jackson Wang (CEO of Seine Technology Co., Ltd, the holding company of Ninestar), and soon will be a reality at his Seine High Tech Industry Park in Zhuhai, China, the world’s capital of printer consumables (Seine is pronounced Sigh-nah to rhyme with China).

When he rewinds his memories back to 2000, the very year he started Ninestar, Jackson Wang cannot but help think of the humble inkjet cartridge workshop he started. That 38-employee workshop has developed into one of the world’s largest aftermarket print consumable companies and an emerging printer OEM. Its products have been sold in more than 100 countries and world regions, comprising a 20% share in the inkjet supplies aftermarket and a 10% toner supplies. Today, Seine’s novel Pantum printers are rapidly gaining recognition across world markets.

Step-by-Step Jackson Wang is reluctant to attribute Ninestar’s success either to certain big industry trends and opportunities, or just to luck. Rather, he gives credit to the philosophy he has been advocating in his life and his work: “Take every step firmly and do things step-by-step.”

In July 2000, Ninestar was founded. A 1,000 m² facility, three production lines, an injection molding machine and 38 employees—these were the only assets of

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

34 FRONT COVER STORY

Aerial View of Seine New High Tech Industry Park

the newly-founded start-up. It began with inkjet cartridge manufacturing only.

Wang says, “When Ninestar entered the inkjet cartridge aftermarket in 2000, there were already more than 100 similar manufacturers in China, and a few big companies that had been doing the same thing for almost 10 years. We are not pioneers in this market. We succeeded, because we took every step carefully, safely and boldly. We did things step-bystep. We never juggled too many balls at the same time.” In the first three years following its startup, Ninestar invested all its efforts and capital into inkjet cartridges.

On The Right Path As the world entered its 21st century, traditional printer OEMs began to change their business models by protecting the large profit margins they were earning on printer consumables.

Encrypted smart chips were inserted so as to secure their monopoly in the printer market. Under such a policy, the worldwide aftermarket industry was thrown into a “to be or not to be” dilemma. Decoding the encryption is an arduous task because it requires finding the right algorithm among tens of thousands of possibilities.

Long before Epson and other OEMs initiated patent battles against aftermarket players, Wang had already foreseen the importance of self-proprietary technology.

He led his team to overcome countless difficulties during the research and development process of chip technology.

Finally, late in 2001, Ninestar had Issue43|www.iRecyclingTimes.com

With the successful launch of the Pantum laser printer with its own proprietary technology, China became the 4th country in the world to manufacture laser printers.

successfully invented its T007 chip for use in inkjet cartridges. It was the first of its kind in the print consumables aftermarket and therefore paved the way to success in the inkjet cartridge business. The company was thereafter set on the road to “indigenous innovation”, a destination which turned out to be the absolutely correct target.

Until 2003, Ninestar’s inkjet business enjoyed a high share of the aftermarket.

It was at this time that Wang started to invest in toner cartridges. He says, “We didn’t start our toner business until we sold

We did things step-by-step.

We never juggled too many balls at the same time millions of inkjet cartridges per month. We didn’t start our ribbon business until we sold 500,000 toner cartridges per month.

Similarly, we didn’t start our printer business until we were leading the print consumables market.”

In 2004, Ninestar moved into its current 130,000 m² industry park and officially announced its entrance into the toner cartridge aftermarket.

Wang’s “step-by-step” philosophy has been adapted during Ninestar’s development, from ink and toner cartridges, to ribbons, to printers.

“I’m A Conservative Innovator!”

Many nicknames have been given to

Wang, including strategist, change-maker, and intellectual property defender. But he thinks of himself more as a conservative innovator.

Wang says, “I will not risk losing everything to start an adventure or to innovate. I’ll evaluate my own competency, and then make sufficient preparation before doing it. It’s like climbing the Himalayas, lots of preparation and training must be done prior to the expedition. A healthy cardiovascular condition must be met. Physical strength must be improved.

Mental training is also inevitable. One may take 1-2 years to prepare to climb the Himalayas.”

He adds, “Similar to that, we conduct much intensive research and study before we start a new adventure. For example, it took Pantum three years to thoroughly figure out the technologies and patents being used in printers.

We prepared for a long time before we officially launched our own, home-grown, laser printer.”

A laser printer is a technologyintensive, electronic product that integrates microelectronics, chemical engineering, precision machinery, laser scanning and imaging technology, automatic control, software design and many more disciplines. Far more than 100,000 patents have been awarded in this area. To design a printer that doesn’t infringe any patent is a “mission impossible”!

But Wang and his team took on the challenge. He insisted the project must be undertaken in the most conservative way.

They acquired surplus amounts of capital

FRONT COVER STORY Group integrated

35

Seine High Tech Industry Park activated

Launched PANTUM printer globally; Set up National Technological Innovation center Launched PANTUM printer in China Launched EverBrite ink; Legend Capital invested

Started R&D of PANTUM printer

Started business of toner cartridge

Developed the intelligence chip Set up American and European branch offices

Established; Built G&G brand

Ninestar's Milestone

in case of continuous failure. Eventually, Tech Industry Park to migrating to a Pantum successfully launched China’s first new house. It gives him the chance to proprietary printer in 2010. discard the old furniture and replace it Two years have passed. Pantum printers with a new selection. In the new facility, have already entered 30 countries or Ninestar will use new equipment, optimize regions. Wang says they are performing manufacturing procedures, apply advanced exceptionally well, especially in the entry management systems and improve logistics level segment of certain small and medium so as to increase efficiency and quality, and sized markets, such as Israel and South reduce cost.

Africa.

In the past two years, Ninestar’s current As Wang puts it, “We are adjusting facility and production capacity have been some printer models to better meet far below that required to meet a rapidly customers’ demand. Though we’re seeing expanding demand. Wang believes moving much positive feedback from customers to the new industry park will significantly and channels, I’m still conservative at this boost sales for consumables and printers. stage. Once we’re Wang says, “I well prepared, we’ll have faith in the launch a massive, print consumables To Wang, the future of global marketing aftermarket. the printer market is campaign which People nowadays bright and the path to may change the are demanding landscape of the high quality and success is clear printer market.” fair prices. That’s why our sales of aftermarket supplies are increasing.

Hello Future Wang says, “When a company expands Some OEMs are adjusting their strategy to a certain scale, maintaining efficient accordingly. The demand is solid, we can’t management could become very difficult. change the market.”

In that condition, it would be very hard to He once said that the purpose of maintain a current annual growth rate of launching Pantum was not only to create a 10% to 20%.” new era of printing, but also to prepare his Ninestar encountered similar problems. company to transform from a manufacturer That’s why was it restructured the to a service provider in the wider MPS company, over the past two years.The market. His company is now preparing for integration of of printing supplies sales this in the same step-by-step fashion that being just one example. Positive signs has worked for Wang’s team down through have shown that efficiency has increased. the years.

But more needs to be done.

To Wang, the future is bright and the Wang likens moving to the Seine High path to success is clear! ■ www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

LIFTOUT DIRECTORY

OPC DRUM PRODUCERS ASIA PACIFIC ALPHACHEM CO., LTD. AlphaChem—which began their business with inkjet inks in 1998—is a highly technical driven company. They take pride in manufacturing 1) inkjet Inks, 2) OPC drums, and 3) toner powders.

Alphachem claims they achieved remarkable growth in the industry with those three core products.

Ken Song 407-1, Maetan-dong, Yeongtong-gu Suwon City, Gyeongi-Do, 442-370 SOUTH KOREA Tel: +82.31.214.4428 Email: info@inkmate.co.kr Website: www.alphachem.net

APS PHOTOCONDUCTOR (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD APS Photoconductor (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, was founded in Jiading Industry Zone of Shanghai in May, 2004.It was invested by Print-Rite Holdings Limited (Hong Kong) has introduced the production technology from Hologic Hitec-Imaging GmbH (AEG Photoconductor GmbH) and been focusing on the production and manufacturing of printer photoconductor drum.

Stanley Zhang, Deputy General Manager Building No.1, 1300 Beihe Rd, Jiading Shanghai, China 201807 Tel: +86. 21.6916.9933 Email: Stanley.zhang@aps-phtotoconductor.cn Website: www.aps-photoconductor.cn

BAIKSAN OPC CO., LTD. As a global parts supplier, Baiksan produces the core parts and components used in digital printers, such as laser printers, inkjet printers, copiers, fax machines and multifunction devices. On the Total Solution Base, the company supplies the parts and components it produces to domestic and overseas markets.

Diana Baik, Manager 45-10, Yongsomal-gil Deoksan-myeon, Jincheon-Gun Chungcheongbuk-Do, SOUTH KOREA Tel: +82.43.536.7561 Email: bai@baiksanopc.com Website: www.baiksanopc.com

CEMS CO., LTD. Established in 2003, CEMS, Inc. is a specialized OPC drum manufacturer providing the world's best quality products and customer service. CEMS has been able to manufacture products without glitches by conducting equipment analysis on the basis of their experience and attracting experienced talent in the fields of research development, manufacturing and sales.

Aiden 679-22, Naegi-ri, Poseung-eup Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, 451- 821 SOUTH KOREA Tel: +82.31.683.7250 Email: aiden.cems@gmail.com Website: www.cemsopc.co.kr

CHANGZHOU CHENKAI OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD Changzhou Chenkai Optoelectronics Technology Co Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise, specialized in producing OPC drums where it caters for laser printers (black or color printer) & photocopier machine (black or color machine). The company has the self-management import and export right.

Janet Zhou, Oversea Manager Heping Industrial Park, Changzhou, China 213114 Tel: +86.159.9503.3938 Email: janetzjf@163.com Website: www.ckopc.com

1

Art Diamond, Senior Consulting Editor, Recycling Times

I can remember when the number of non-OEM OPC drum producers worldwide could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Back then, a new drum commanded prices as high as $20. Today, we’ve identified almost 30 independent producers offering OPC drums for as little as one-tenth that price.

20 years ago the focus was on light sensitivity, consistent drum quality and drum life. Over time, the lesson learned was that the cost of testing a used OPC drum exceeded the cost of a new one. Therefore, a drum’s end-oflife, in terms of number of pages printed, need only exceed the life of the cartridge by a modest amount.

Looking back, predictions of a non-metallic substrate, such as a metallized plastic tube, never materialized. The use of an aluminum tube substrate and the technology of a two layer drum coating remain relatively unchanged.

Today, a major concern is on drum gear coupling designs that avoid patent infringement.

OPC drum producers appear to have solved this problem using patented couplings of their own unique and proprietary design.

The toner cartridge aftermarket has survived the existential threats of smart chips and patented drum gear couplings. By so doing, it has grown stronger. The conclusion to be drawn from events in the past few years is that aftermarket players are fully capable of innovative, workaround solutions to the most severe challenges presented by OEM patents.

Indeed, independent OPC drum producers have not only flexed their inventive muscles, but have demonstrated their respect for the intellectual properties of others.

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

LIFTOUT DIRECTORY

3

DRUM TECHNOLOGY (M) SDN BHD (DTM) As a company that strives to present Quality and Savings-focused Solutions for its partners, Drum Technology (M) Sdn Bhd (DTM) is extremely diligent about the quality of our Organic Photo-Conductor (OPC) Drums. As the leading OPC Producer in the South East Asian region, the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main focus is to continuously lead in the digital imaging manufacturing industry, bringing topnotch products and technology advancement.

Harald Stausberg, President No. 10, Jalan Trompet 33/8 Section 33, HICOM Industrial Area, 40400 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +603.5191.2623 Email: sales@dtm.com.my Website: www.dtm.com.my

EURASIA PRECISION (ZHEJIANG) CO,.LTD Eurasia Precision (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. is a high-tech manufacturer specialized in imaging-components & cartridges manufacturing. With reliable manufacturing technology and modern manufacturing equipment from Japan, and also with topclass quality assurance testing instrument and control devices, its experienced management teams serve the market with a series of professional high quality products.

Zhang Xiaohua, Sales Director NO.29 Changhe Rd, Chang'an, Haining, Zhejiang, China 314408 Tel: +86.573.8725.1198 Email: sinotech66@aliyun.com Website: eurasia88.cn.globalimporter.net

FOSHAN HANHAI TIANYING OFFICE EQUIPMENT FACTORY Foshan Nanhai TianYing Office Equipment Factory was founded in 2005. The company specializes in the development and production of laser printer, copying machine and multi-function devices for photoelectric conversion of light images to latent electrostatic images by means of an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum. Importing advanced production equipment and technology from Japan, Foshan Nanhai TianYingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual output is now over 4 million OPC drums.

Simon He, General Manager The 3rd Unit, Xuanzheng Yuan, Baigang Development Zone, Heshun, Lishui, Foshan, Guangdong, China 528241 Tel: +86.757.8511.1913 Email: nh.tianying@163.com, heshaomin@21cn.com Website: www.tyopc.com

FUJI ELECTRIC (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD. Fuji Electric has created a number of new businesses during the nearly 90 years since its founding. A single theme has linked each of these: that of "Power Electronics Technology" which combines power semiconductors, circuits, control systems, and similar disciplines.

Xu Ming, Vice Manager of Business Department Fengtang Da Dao, Tangweicun Hi-technology Industrial Zone Fuyong Town, Baoan, Shenzhen, China 518103 Tel: +86.755.2734.2910-286 Email: xu-ming@fujielectric.com.cn Website: www.szfujielectric.com.cn

GANTECH OPTO-ELECTRONICS LTD Since 2002, Gantech Opto-electronics has been in the printing industry. With more than 10 years experience, the company can produce most kinds of HP and SAMSUNG drum and enjoy high reputation in the market. Currently, its capacity is about 500-600K pcs drum monthly and a new plant is installing now. In 2013, its capacity will reach 1 million pcs montly. The company can provide good quality drums with competitive prices.

Mr. Song Jun, Sales Manager No.12, West Ming Yuan Road, HuaiAn City, JiangSu, CHINA 223003 Tel: +86.517.8703.2881 Email: sales@gantech.com.cn Website: www.gantech.com.cn

GREEN RICH TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. Green Rich Technology has been devoting itself to the research, development and production of Organic Photo Conductor. To provide high quality products to customers, Green Rich uses the most advanced machines, develops "DUC" under layer, and has obtained patents in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China. The company meets the requirements of ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and IECQ QC080000, providing environmentally-friendly products of high quality.

Sonia Yang, Assistant Manager No.31, Keyi St., Chunan, Miaoli 350, Taiwan Tel: +886.37.581.899-6112 Email: sonia_yang@greenrich.com.tw Website: www.greenrich.com.tw

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

LIFTOUT DIRECTORY

5

GUANGZHOU A&G OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. Hong Kong A&G Company Limited is a hi-tech enterprise engaged in research and development of core component of the laser printer and copier machine. In 2011, with professional research and development experience, A&G put huge investment in an OPC Drum research and development base in Guangzhou, China.

Yuan Fei Ling Room 2101, Tower A, Gaoke Plaza, No.906, North Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, CHINA 510600 Tel: +86.20.3825.8949/+86.153.0228.1019 Email: sales@agopc.cn Website: www.agopc.cn

HG TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. HG Technologies Co., Ltd. specializes in developing and manufacturing drums and toner for laser printers and copiers. With 8 automated OPC drum production lines and 7 toner lines, its annual production capacity amounts to 36 million OPC drum units and 8,000 metric tons of toner.

Yang Huiping, Manager of Sales Department 12 Shiji Dajie, Handan Development Area, Handan, Hebei, CHINA 056000 Tel: +86.310.806.8181 Email: sales@hg-oa.com Website: www.hg-oa.com

HUBEI HANMEI PHOTOELECTRICITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD The factory of Hanmei is a high-tech enterprise in developing and manufacturing OPC drums. The company has built 4 OPC drum coating production lines and will introduce from abroad 2 more advanced automatic lines. It also installs the advanced professional equipments to ensure providing superior products with competitive prices. The company warmly welcomes customers from all over the world.

Jane Xiong, Sales Manager No.018, Peace Road, Chengguan Town, Yunmeng County, Hubei Province, China 432500 Tel: +86.712.408.2887 Email: sales01@hbhmgd.cn Website: www.hbhmgd.cn

OPC TECHNOLOGY JAPAN, PVT. LTD OPC Technology Japan was incorporated in 2001 in India. The company specializes in the manufacture of OPC drums for use in different brands of digital copiers and printers. The fourth company in the world to take up the manufacture of OPC drum, OPC Technology offers drums ranging from 24 mm to 120 mm in diameter.

Mr. J.C.Joshi B- 1, GNEPIP, Site-v, Upsidc, Kasna, Greater Noida, UP-201308 INDIA Tel: +91.120.234.1886 Email: joshi@opcdrumsindia.com Website: www.opcdrumsindia.com

PARK & OPC CO., LTD In 2002, Park & OPC Company was created by acquiring the photoconductor drums division of Samsung Electro-mechanics. Since the acquisition included the transfer of production facilities and all staff, PARK & OPC Drums can leverage Samsung's economies of scale and well-known commitment to quality and cutting-edge facilities.

Han Hye Ja, Sales Manager 1108-3 Namcheon-Ri, Oksan-Myun Chungwon-Gun, Chungchungbuk-Do, 363-911 SOUTH KOREA Tel: +82.43.710.0284 Email: info@parkandopc.com Website: www. parkandopc.com

SHENZHEN CAIR PHOTOCONDUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY CO.LTD Shenzhen Cair Photoconductive Technology Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of printing supplies and cartridges with well-equipped testing facilities and a strong technical force. With a wide range, good quality, reasonable prices and stylish designs, the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products are extensively used in office and other industries.

Xiao Wen, General Manager Building B, No. 2 Industrial, Wulianzhugushi Management Area Longgang, Shenzhen, 518000 CHINA Tel: +86.135.1025.4249 Email: 13510254249@139.com

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

LIFTOUT DIRECTORY

7

SHENZHEN SINGYUTONG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD Zhang Zhonghua, General Manager Building B, Jilixin Industrial Park, No. 10-2, Jixiang San Road, Pingdi, Longgang,

Shenzhen, China 518000 Tel: +86.135.0963.4527 Email: 947302041@qq.com

SINONAR CORPORATION Since 1994, Sinonar has been dedicated to the research, development and manufacture of organic photo conductor (OPC) drums. Dedications and focus on OPC technologies have resulted in the award of more than 10 patents certifying the innovation of OPC material formulations and production technology.

Doris Deng, Senior Business Manager 8 Prosperity Road 1, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, 30078, TAIWAN Tel: +886.3.578.3366 Email: opc@sinonar.com.tw Website: www.sinonar.com.tw

SUZHOU GOLDENGREEN TECHNOLOGIES LTD. Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies Co., Ltd is one of the leading manufacturers in China for printing consumables. With a facility in Suzhou covering over XX square meters, SGT is in the position to supply full range of OPC drums (Organic Photo- Conductor Drums) with top quality and best performance.

Lucy Liu, V.P. of Sales & Marketing No.38, Hou Jiu Road, New Hi-Tech District Suzhou, China 215011 Tel: +86.512.8227.6838 Email: sales@sgt21.com Website: www.sgt21.com

ZELOQ (SHENZHEN) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. Zeloq (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of photoconductor and its producing equipment. It was founded by an experienced team which has been engaged in this business for many years. With such an elite group, the company is absorbed in its own research and innovation of high quality photoconductor and its easy-producing solutions.

Ms. Chen, Sales Manager Jinnuo Industrial Zone, Xinsha Load, Shajing, Baoan, Shenzhen, China 518104 Tel: +86.755.2753.8405 Email: anata55@163.com Website: www.zeloq.com

EUROPE BAIKSAN OPC GmbH As a global parts supplier, Baiksan produces the core parts and components used in digital printers, such as laser printers, inkjet printers, copiers, fax machines and multifunction devices. On the Total Solution Base, the company supplies the parts and components it produces to domestic and overseas markets.

Kelsterbacher Strasse 20 Raunheim, D-65479 GERMANY Tel: +49.6142.17600 Email: info@baiksan.de Website: www.baisanopc.com

CEMS EUROPE GmbH Established in 2003, CEMS, Inc. is a specialized OPC drum manufacturer providing the world's best quality products and customer service. CEMS has been able to manufacture products without glitches by conducting equipment analysis on the basis of their experience and attracting experienced talent in the fields of research, development, manufacturing and sales.

Stock 6, D-47918, Toenisvorsz, Germany Tel: +49.2151.933.820 Email: cems-europe@ttribbon.de Website: www.cemsopc.co.kr/eng/

PARK & OPC CO., LTD. In 2002, Park & OPC Company was created by acquiring the photoconductor drums division of Samsung Electro-mechanics.

Concourslaan 70 Hoffddorp 2131 DK THE NETHERLANDS Tel: +31.23.555.3211 Email: davidlee@daewonopc.com Website: www.daewanopc.com

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

8

LIFTOUT DIRECTORY

NORTH AMERICA BAIKSAN OPC, INC. As a global parts supplier, Baiksan produces the core parts and components used in digital printers, such as laser printers, inkjet printers, copiers, fax machines and multifunction devices. On the Total Solution Base, the company supplies the parts and components it produces to domestic and overseas markets.

Douglas, Sales 12701 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite Q Pacoima, CA 91331 USA Tel: +1.818.897.6653 Email: douglas@baiksanopc.com Website: www.baiksanopc.com

FUJI ELECTRIC CORPORATION Fuji Electric has created a number of new businesses during the nearly 90 years since its founding. A single theme has linked each of these: that of "Power Electronics Technology" which combines power semiconductors, circuits, control systems, and similar disciplines.

50 Northfield Avenue Edison, NJ 08837, USA Tel: +1.732.560.9410 Website: www.americas.fujielectric.com

HITEC IMAGING CORPORATION In the field of photoconductor manufacture, Hitec-Imaging is one of the few stateof-the-art producers. With its own R&D department, high-precision production capabilities and commitment to a zero fault strategy, Hitec Imaging is a driving force in the field of photoconductors.

Thomas Schank, Senior Director of Business Development 6929 Tylerville Road, Suite 18 West Chester, OH 45069, USA Tel: +1.513.874.4939 E-mail: thomas.schank@hitec-imaging.com Website: www.hologic-imaging.com/de

MITSUBISHI KAGAKU IMAGING CORPORATION Mitsubishi Kagaku Imaging Corporation manufactures and distributes components for copiers, printers, and fax machines. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Chesapeake, Virginia. Mitsubishi Kagaku Imaging Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

Atsushi Kurihara, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Glendale Plaza, 655 N. Central Avenue, Suite #1550 Glendale, CA 91203 USA Tel: +1.818.837.8100 Email: Atsushi.Kurihara@m-chem.com Website: www.m-kagaku.co.jp

PARK & OPC CO., LTD. In 2002, Park & OPC Company was created by acquiring the photoconductor drums division of Samsung Electro-mechanics.

3200 Wilshire Boulevard South Tower Suite 1234 Los Angeles, CA 90010 USA Tel: +1.818.718.0270 E-mail: opc@parkandopc.com Website: www.parkandopc.com

This Directory, compiled by the staff of Recycling Times magazine, represents the best information currently available to us regarding those independent producers offering OPC drums to aftermarket dealers, distributors and remanufacturers. OEM producers are not shown. We plan to review and update this list on an annual basis. Your comments, additions, deletions and suggestions are most welcome as they will enable us to update and certify the information presented.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll publish the directory of Industry Standards in next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of Recycling Times magazine. If you know of standards you are using that should be included, please contact Ms. Violien Wu at violien.wu@irecyclingtimes.com.

NEXT ISSUE

DIRECTORY PUBLISHING PLAN Nov 2013

Industry Standards

May 2014

Manufacturers of Developer Materials

Dec 2013

Manufacturers of Blades

Jun 2014

Manufacturers of Dye & Pigment Dispersions

Jan 2014

Manufacturers of Smart Chips

Jul 2014

Trade Associations

Feb 2014

Manufacturers of Ink Jet Inks

Aug 2014

Print Testing Labs

Mar 2014

Empty Cartridges Collectors and Brokers

Sep 2014

Manufacturers of Dry Toners

Apr 2014

Manufacturers of Primary Charge Rollers

Oct 2013

Manufacturers of OPC Drums

Issue43|www.iRecyclingTimes.com

TRICKLE FEED TECHNOLOGY

39

Tutorial:

TRICKLE FEED DEVELOPER REPLENISHMENT Thomas Wolf, Sales Manager, Central and Eastern Europe, Katun Art Diamond, Senior Consulting Editor, Recycling Times

Turn the Page>> www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

TRICKLE FEED TECHNOLOGY

41

Figure 1

better quality images at a lower cost and Developer Mix Replenishment Xerox Monitors Use to Match Depletion There are three ways to replenish the A third method is described in U.S. fewer interventions. developer in a two-component color or Patent No. 6,466,749 issued to Katherine As shown in the Figure 1 of U.S. patent monochrome developer system. The first O’Brien on October 15, 2002 and assigned 6,466,749, the developer mix, consisting of way is to completely replace the spent to the Xerox Corporation. Xerox used large carrier beads and fine toner particles, developer with a fresh, blended mix of this technology on its 7328/7335/7345/ is constantly stirred by a rotating impeller carrier beads and toner. Typically, the and 7346 WorkCentre™ copiers and blade 145, in the developer sump 140. The blend ratio of carrier to toner (C/T) in a printers (these models are no longer being sump is fed by toner and carrier through fresh developer mix is 95/5 or roughly manufactured). The Xerox technique seeks supply paths 121 and 131, in a fixed or 95% by weight. Total developer mix to adjust the selective addition of makeup variable ratio as established by a control replacement usually takes place during toner and makeup carrier to exactly match device (not shown). Developer mix is fed a scheduled intervention after the to the transfer drum via supply path rated page yield of the developer 161. Waste carrier beads flow from There are three ways to mix has been reached or exceeded. the developer sump to a carrier sink The problem with this technique via supply path 151. replenish the developer in is that between total replacements, The evolution of TFR tracks a two-component color or only toner is replenished to the mix. the evolution of carrier particle Thus, the carrier particles undergo monochrome developer system technology, or more specifically, a gradual deterioration, as the bead the reduction in carrier particle size. coating gradually wears off, leading Indeed, it traces the reduction in the consumption of these two components to a sawtooth image density curve, rather carrier particle diameter from about 600 and thereby maintain the initial C/T ratio. than a stable level of print quality. microns for glass beads in the 1960s and The substance of the O’Brien patent A second way is to continually replenish 1970s to today’s 25 to 40 micron ferrite lies in the use of controllers that variably the developer mix by trickling in a beads. The important difference being that release both toner and carrier particles to mixture of toner and developer using the very few of the older carrier beads left the makeup the amount of each component same blend ratio as was first added to the developer sump, while today’s fine particle depleted from the developer mix, based developer housing (sump). Trickle feed carrier powders can escape in the course of upon the machine’s analysis of the quantity development and image transfer steps. replenishment (TFR) is not new to tonerconsumed by each printed page. More based imaging. It reduces the number of specifically, the patented controllers adjust service call interventions required for a Konica Minolta’s System In the digital copier and printer industry the ratios of toner and carrier trickled into complete developer change and it ensures TFR means the carrier in the developer the developer sump, depending upon the a reasonably stable level of image quality. sump unit is premixed in the toner cartridge But with a variety of images having widely area coverage or density of a particular and is then supplied as toner is consumed. image. Therefore, the time between different toner coverage percentages, the This is an ongoing and recurring process. complete replacements of the exhausted C/T ratio in the sump will stray from the Exhausted carrier is expelled with the developer can be extended, leading to initial percentage. www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

TRICKLE FEED TECHNOLOGY

43

Comparison of TFR-based Developing System and Conventional Developing System

toner, but then replaced by an incoming inside, but no carrier. Even if that toner has issues with that carrier. In other words, the carrier/toner blend, thereby reducing a feature set similar to the OEM product, aftermarket player could run the risk of overall deterioration in the developer mix the question remains: “Will it work?” The infringing existing patents with the carrier sump. This process helps to maintain stable answer is: “Yes it will work–but only for that they use. black image quality over the long term, a limited time.” With prolonged use, the To overcome this problem, one might providing at least 500.000 copies, or more, developer unit will run empty. The first recycle used carrier. Typically, the ferrite at a very competitive cost per copy. carrier beads are initially coated with Konica-Minolta and Canon were a proprietary resin formulation. That Similar to cartridges that have a coating will have been depleted on among the first OEMs to use trickle feed technology. It is rumored that chip, cartridges that use TFR help used, or spent, carrier. TFR systems Kyocera Minolta will soon launch a excess developer mix (toner the OEM protect its consumable send TFR-based development system of and carrier) into a waste bin (carrier sales business from aftermarket sink) from which the carrier can be its own design.

Similar to cartridges that have a suppliers, as both are not easy recovered, stripped clean of toner and chip, cartridges that use TFR help residual coating, and then recoated, to copy the OEM protect its consumable combined with the proper toner, and sales business from aftermarket resold as new developer mix. indication users will see is lighter images. suppliers, as both are not easy to copy.

What is the best aftermarket solution?

Next, the copier electronics will attempt Think about the well-known chipped The very best aftermarket solution is to re-adjust the system by increasing the printer cartridges from Samsung—e.g., the use of new carrier in aftermarket blanket electrostatic charge on the OPC Samsung ML 1640 or Samsung ML cartridges. To get there, the aftermarket drums. This will trigger more toner being 1665—and how hard it is for aftermarket company must be able to avoid IP (patent) attracted to the drum, a condition that will players to develop a working smart chip issues and, at the same time, the new cause dusting in the machine. In other for these models. Aftermarket sources are carrier must come as closely as possible to words, such a “solution” will work in the now facing an equally difficult problem the OEM product. beginning but fail in the end. in attempting to develop a compatible The next best solution would be to find cartridge for TFR-based copiers and IP Friendly Carriers USA-based Katun Corporation (www. an aftermarket carrier for refill into the printers. It is not enough to understand katun.com) is among the first aftermarket developer unit of the TFR system. This and re-engineer the chemical and physical company in the world that can use IPapproach was not intended by the OEM, behavior of the underlying OEM toner, but friendly new carriers with their TFRas the OEM will not sell a developer mix the carrier being used by the OEM must capable cartridge solutions. Dealers can for the developer unit. The system is not also be emulated to ensure compatibility. expect OEM equivalent performance with designed this way, but it might work. these toners, including – image quality, Still the question is: “Where to source Compatible Solutions There seems to be aftermarket players color reproduction, complete fusing and the carrier powder?” Usually, the OEM that sell compatible “solutions” that do not high page yields. Katun’s toner cartridges keeps the carrier recipe secret, and even take care of the carrier at all, providing fit and perform like the OEM toners–with if an aftermarket player can re-engineer compatible cartridges that have only toner complete chip functionality. ■ the carrier they still might be facing IP www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

OEM NEWS

45

HP Reports Hardware Shipments Up, Supplies Revenue Down HP’s Printing Segment, which accounted for 21% of HP’s total revenue in 3Q2013, reported $5.8 billion in revenue, down 4% compared with the same period last year. Total Hardware shipments were up 5% YoY. Among them, shipments of commercial hardware grew by 12% and consumer hardware, 2%. Supplies revenue, which made up for 66% of the total printing revenue, was down 4% YoY. HP has now focused more on the highend ink market and commercial hardware than low-end consumer hardware. Its Ink Advantage program continued to boost company revenues in 3Q2013.

Whitman believes that “The Ink in the Office, Ink Advantage, Ink Subscription, multifunction printers, managed print services (MPS) are all designed to drive more supplies per unit.”

Read more: bit.ly/HP4314 ■

OEMs are Transforming to Service Providers According to Photizo, Ricoh is well on its way to transform itself from a hardware supplier to a service provider.

It plans to focus on offering support for stand-alone office machines and a link with cloud computing technologies.

The Nikkei revealed Ricoh has reduced its payroll by 10,000 employees in the last two years and it cut jobs primarily in Europe and the United States, as part of its “servitization” plan.

Photizo finds that servitization efforts made by Japanese imaging companies are lagging behind those of Western companies. Compared to some Japanese companies (such as Canon, Fuji Xerox, Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Ricoh and Sharp), HP, Lexmark and Xerox, earn three times the total service revenue and have twice the level of service penetration.

Read more: bit.ly/service4357 ■

Xerox Releases Patches to Address Scanner Problem Xerox has released certain software patches to address the scanning error identified in some of its multi-function printers (MFPs). Those MFPs may alter figures in scanned documents. But Xerox says the problem only exists if people reset its machines' default settings.

According to Rick Dastin, President, Office and Solutions Business Group at Xerox, "We have confirmed that errors can occur under a set of limited conditions when scanning stress documents to PDF— which can include very small font sizes, stray pixels and be difficult to read. Given

this finding, however uncommon, we have developed this patch which eliminates that possibility."

Read more: bit.ly/xerox4318 ■ www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

OEM NEWS

47

Epson Goes Greener in Making Cartridges Epson Portland says they are using retired programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to create a timer for ink barrel mixers with a light that goes on when the mixer stops. The result, the company claims, is an effective and low-cost way to improve accuracy and workflow. They are also upgrading their equipment in the clean room with reused machine parts and cells to fully automate five used semi-automated ink cartridge production lines transferred from another factory.

Dave Graham, president of Epson Portland said "Reusing retired machinery is a form of innovation that has helped us to boost product quality, improve

efficiency and reduce the burden on the environment."

Read more: bit.ly/epson4315 ■

Epson Recalls Flawed Printers in China According to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China, Epson China will recall 169,452 ink jet printers in the Chinese mainland, due to design flaws in their power system protection.

Epson China announced the recall, which began

on August 28, involves 16 models produced between September 12, 2011 and June 6, 2013.

Epson stated that in certain rare ca cases, continuous and extreme po power surges—far in excess of th those expressed in the product sp specifications—may cause a fire in the power unit. Also, Epson Ch China will provide a free repair se service to the flawed products an and undertake overall inspection of them, the company said.

Read more: bit.ly/epson4329 ■ Re

Sharp Ends Copier Business Cooperation with Samsung As revealed by The Japan Times, Sharp Corporation has suspended discussions with South Korea’s Samsung Electronics over their cooperative efforts in the copier business. The move comes out of concern that major technology would fall into the hands of Sharp’s South Korean-based rival.

According to the article, Sharp received a ¥10.38-billion investment from Samsung in March under a business and capital collaboration agreement, while the company was striving to strengthen its financial backing. Sales of liquid crystal display panels increased after Sharp started to supply Samsung. Consequently, Sharp

reported a consolidated operating profit of ¥3 billion (US$30 million) in the AprilJune quarter of 2013.

Read more: bit.ly/sharp4333 ■ www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

ENVIRONMENT

49

Cartridge Recycling Project Unveiled According to WHNT TV News, the city of Florence, Alabama, USA, has promoted recycling by offering an easier curbside recycling service, enabling residents to drop off their used printer cartridges and cell phones.

“If they go to a landfill, they are going to stay there forever,” explained Mansell with Florence Recycling. “Or, they come to the recycle center and get a new life.”

The Florence Recycle Center claims it recycled 3,340 tons of materials in 2012, including printer

cartridges, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles & jugs, aluminum, steel, electronics, and fishing line.

Read more: bit.ly/florence4330 ■

Recycling Program Pays Colleges to Collect E-Waste FundingFactory, a recycling fundraiser program of Clover Technologies Group, has launched an electronic waste recycling program called "Collected" that pays colleges and universities cash or rewards in exchange for e-waste.

The program collects used inkjet and

toner printer cartridges, cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras and laptops from many higher institutions.

Participants can track how these e-wastes are reused and recycled. Reuse and recycle rates, raw materials breakdown, carbon emission offsets, shipments and earnings can be found on its website.

According to FundingFactory, it and its partners have provided more than $35 million in funding to US schools and nonprofits since its foundation in 1998, and saved over 64 million pounds of waste from landfills.

Read more: bit.ly/ewaste4344 ■

WRAP to Study Proposed Standard for Re-Used Products The UK-based, non-profit company Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), announced it has launched a two-month consultation process for a proposed Re-Use Standard 2013, aimed at offering customers quality remanufactured products and aiding in the development of the Re-Use sector of the aftermarket.

The Standard is also being drafted in association with a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) comprised of UK stakeholders from across the Re-Use sector.

WRAP said the Standard will be supported by the processing organizations for specific product groups.

Those organizations will supplement the productspecific requirement standards with additional detailed criteria.

Watch more: bit.ly/wrap4345 ■ www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

NEW PRODUCTS

51

MSE Offers 10,000 Page, CF280X Cartridge for HP’s M401 Printer Micro Solutions Enterprises (MSE) has released a 10,000 page, MPS engineered, extended yield replacement cartridge for the Hewlett Packard CF280X (M401) printer.

MSE says its extended yield CF280X cartridge provides a 45% increase in page yield when compared to the

OEM’s published data. Also, MSE approved this product by using the market’s most exhaustive testing protocols, including environmental stress testing, accelerated aging testing, shipping simulation, and ISO 19752 testing.

Read more: bit.ly/mse4317 ■

ICMI Offers New BioToner Series ICMI (China) Limited, the core toner producer of Print-Rite Holdings Limited, announced the launch of BioToner for HP, Samsung and Brother toner cartridges.

According to the company, the BioToner consists of bioresins which are derived from agricultural resources, such as soy, sugar cane, field (animal) corn and potatoes. It said these products help lower CO2 emissions and simplify the waste paper deinking process. The bioresin-based toners degrade upon exposure to high temperatures in a water environment.

Read more: bit.ly/icmi4309 ■

Katun Introduces New Color Toners Katun Corporation announced a new product in its performance toner series for Canon imageRUNNER Advance C5030 and C5240 printers. The company said the product can help improve profitability and competitiveness.

Katun noted the new toner has been tested for print quality, color reproduction and page yield. Katun its customers find it helps lower cost and provides high print performance. The company added the toner product can be easily installed by end users.

Read more: bit.ly/katun4359 ■

OCP Releases Inks for Primera LX/RX900 Label Printers OCP, the leading inkjet ink OEM Cartridge Color / Type OCP Ink(s) producer based in Bochum, Germany, 53429 Black Pigment BKP announced it has developed new inks Cyan C for Primera Technology’s LX/RX900 53422 inkjet-based, label printers.

53423 Magenta M According to OCP, the LX900 53424 Yellow Y desktop label printer contains four individual ink cartridges and carries “a chip that calculates actual number of Detailed OCP product information is prints remaining based upon ink usage of shown above.

Read more: bit.ly/ocp4311 ■ graphics being printed.”

UTec Introduces Universal Inkjet Printer Inks Union Technology International (MCO) Co. Ltd. (UTec) has introduced a series of universal inks for inkjet printers. UTec is the master global distributor of Print-Rite Imaging Products.

According to UTec, universal inks with great flexibility can be “widely

used by cartridge and ink bottle refillers worldwide.”

Further, UTec noted that the inks are developed by its strong R&D team “in the plant with ISO 9001, ISO14001 and ICEQ0800000 certificates as well as with REACH and RoHS compliance.”

Read more: bit.ly/utec4302 ■ www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

REGIONAL NEWS

53

Europe

It Takes a Team

José Bustamante <redaccion@consumiblesEmagazine.com>

• Counterfeit Cartridge Distributor Sentenced

According to HP the Valencia's Court of Appeal in Spain has sentenced one person to jail for importing and selling counterfeit HP cartridges. Manish Kumar Chowdary will face 1 year and 3 months in prision and has also been fined.

Chodary, who headed the counterfeiting operation, was previously arrested in 2012. Local police, working together with HP's Global Security and Anticounterfeiting Investigation Squad, confiscated 21,900 fake inkjet and 4,645 fake laser cartridges.

• Samsung Shows Off Innovative Printer Concepts

AT IFA 2013 in Berlin, a popularly attended trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, Samsung Electronics launched its pioneering mobile printing solutions saying it’s aiming to become the number one manufacturer for A4 laser printer and multifunction printers by 2017.

Currently, ranked number 5, the OEM also launched three concept printers— the Wave, the Indie and the One & One—which uses innovative design elements and various product features and functions including audio speakers.

LATIN AMERICA

Ivan Rosales <Ivan.Rosales@irecyclingtimes.com>

• Mexican Remanufacturer Opens New Branch

Mexican-based remanufacturer Prolaser took their business another step forward by opening a branch office in Guadalajara.

This city is one of the largest in the country and is in the top 5 market size for print cartridge recyclers.

Guillermo Avila, owner and CEO of Prolaser said, "Our main interest is to continue to support companies engaged in remanufacturing print cartridges. We have courses, manuals, information and all the support recyclers requires to grow their business ."

Those attending the inauguration could take refresher courses taught by experts from Future Graphics, as well as technical staff from Prolaser. At the end of the seminars, attendees enjoyed a great Mexican celebration.

AUSTRALIA

Maurice Aiken <MauriceA@keytek.com.au>

• Australian Government Alters Paper Procurement Policy

The Australian Government has changed its paper procurement policy to allow Australian Paper and Amcor recycled paper products to be included in the government’s procurement guidelines.

It’s said the federal government agencies would have purchased 100% of their office paper from overseas at the expense of Australian jobs. The new changes mean that Australian-made paper, manufactured at the Australian Paper de-inking and

recycling facility, will be eligible to be purchased by the government. Under the new rules, waste paper from offices, printers, envelope plants and paper converters will be recognized as ‘post consumer waste’.

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

Sand Sinclair, Editor-in-Chief, imageSource Magazine/ ITEX Expo Conference Director

<ssinclair@questex.com>

Though we strive to be self-reliant and capable of managing multi work tasks in our individual sphere of responsibilities, it is equally important to understand and engage in your company’s team goals. The success of the company itself depends on it. If we monitor and measure actions that lead to results, we should be informed about the goals of the team - our coworkers - that performance. So this means helping others identify some short , mid and long term goals, and creating an environment where your sales reps and their managers are able to clearly see what it takes to attain them.

To aid in this team building process, consider planned monthly or quarterly activities that will help make your team more effective. These activities will engage your participants, reinforce your learning concepts, and build the cohesiveness of your team. Everyone then gets to be, as they say in America, “all on the same page.” This is the beginning of a corporate culture - thinking alike to represent, and achieve, the standards needed to result in the company’s overall success – while encouraging each employee’s ability to deliver quality work per task, per department, for the betterment of the whole (company).

To make your team building activity or team exercise live up to its true potential, consider integrating realtime work goals. There are 4 main types of team building activities: Communication activities (selling/ managing conduct), problem solving and/or decision making activities, adaptability and/or planning activities, and activities that focus on building trust. The idea of team building is to set up session and "role play" with your team to learn new strategies that are both fun and challenging, and that result in the “side effect” of building skills that can help improve employee performance and productivity at the office.

54

MOBILE PRINTING

IN

MY VIEW

On Mobile & Wireless Printing America

Al Lucas Managing Director at Crtexas

I believe that this technology will create a great opportunity to expand services for our industry. A storefront franchise or kiosk could add WiFi printing services and add rapid delivery via bike messenger and other local delivery services. Example: The sales staff is sitting in a Starbuck's with several customers prior to a meeting. Questions or ideas come up and sales material or presentations need to be changed immediately. Send these changes to a local kiosk and have them done before the meeting.

America

Daryl Miller VP of Engineering, Lantronix

WiFi is everywhere and the ability for people to print directly from their device on the go will eventually become the norm whether it’s in hotel lobbies, business centre’s or airports. It may even become a paid-for additional service in environments like cafés, schools or libraries, which could be used to make up a small proportion of the operating costs of wireless networks. Either way, let’s face it, the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend is here to stay and in order for it to be successful, IT teams have to tackle every aspect, head on, to ensure maximum benefit to everyone.

Australia

Peter Costa Managing Director at Clover Technologies Group Australia

Mobile and wireless printing will have a positive impact on the hard copy image industry. Any technology that makes devices more accessible for users to print a document has to be a good thing in a time when more and more people are printing less due to a paradigm shift in how information is communicated and stored, coupled with their concerns around cost/ efficiency and the environment.

DEVELOPMENTS IN In InfoTrends’ updated study: Is Printing from Mobile Devices Ready to Take-off, we observed the many vendors that made improvements to their mobile solutions.

The majority of these improvements have been incremental, with vendors simply adding features and functionality to their own mobile printing apps, tweaking enterprise software offerings, and providing more options for the public to print photos at retail outlets. While these enhancements make printing from mobile devices marginally better for a number of users, they do little to address the fundamental challenge presented by an extremely fragmented, inconsistent, and non-intuitive wider landscape.

On a more positive note, there have also been several noteworthy developments in the past 12 months that InfoTrends considers to be more likely to encourage the wider adoption of printing from mobile devices. The increased support for native Wi-Fi printing and advances in printing via Near Field Communication (NFC) are certainly steps in the right direction. The Printer Working Group’s introduction of a mobile printing standard also appears to be a promising development. To help ensure that the public more widely adopts mobile printing as a matter of urgency, vendors are advised to adopt and implement robust, standardized solutions that truly simplify the process for the greatest number of users.

Key Findings • Support for mobile printing is not a priority impacting the purchase decision of a print device but there is interest in this functionality.

• Most mobile printing developments announced over the last year were incremental, as Vendors: » Added functionality to their mobile printing apps Issue43|www.iRecyclingTimes.com

» Introduced new wireless printer models » Made enterprise offerings more secure and comprehensive • Several more significant mobile printing developments have recently taken place, including: » Increased support for native and Near Field Communication printing » Increased communication of mobile printing offerings • The most significant development was the introduction of a new industry standard from the Printer Working Group.

Key Vendor Developments This section highlights mobile printing developments from the last year that InfoTrends views as significant. If printing from mobile devices is to gain traction, InfoTrends believes print equipment vendors, print software companies, and mobile operating system developers will need to collaborate and make the process of mobile printing as simple and as standardized as possible. Collective weight behind a simpler proposition is also likely to yield greater impact than the current fragmented approach.

• There appears to be a larger number of native printing support solutions being developed. » There is a higher number of AirPrint compatible printers currently available » There is more Android native printing support, especially for the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HP Slate 7 tablet » There is more Windows native printing support

55

MOBILE PRINTING

N MOBILE PRINTING Christine Dunne, Research Analyst at InfoTrends

» More vendors are offering NFC, which allows for short-ranged wireless connections between devices through radio communication • In May, the Printer Working Group— a program of the IEEE Industry Standard and Technology Organization—announced that it has developed a new standard for mobile printing: the IPP Everywhere specification.

• More vendors have been providing information about mobile printing on their websites, in press releases, and through social media.

• There is more support for wireless printing through apps, including compatibility with more file types, operating systems, and printers and multifunctional peripherals (MFPs).

• There are more public cloud offerings available for users.

• Enterprises have also been granted applications that better suit their needs, especially in regard to security and functionality.

InfoTrends’ Opinion About a year ago, InfoTrends urged mobile printing solution providers to simplify their offerings and work towards establishing a set of common standards that can be integrated into mobile and print devices. While the amount of simplification that has occurred to date has been fairly limited, and the amount of potential solutions remains almost bewildering, InfoTrends is extremely encouraged by the introduction of a standard by the Printer Working Group. Enabling printing from mobile devices without downloading apps or vendor-specific device drivers is a sensible goal and InfoTrends is encouraged that the Printer Working Group has such wide ranging support. While the first printers supporting this standard are not

expected to be available until later in 2013, or possibly as late as early 2014, it is promising to hear that standards have been agreed upon and that printer manufacturers intend to adopt them.

Other significant advances occurring during the last year include widened support for native printing via iOS, Windows RT, and Android mobile devices; growth in NFC printing support; and improved communication of mobile printing offerings to customers. Given the rapid adoption of mobile devices, it seems only natural that printer and MFP vendors would want to capitalize on the new ways users are creating, consuming, and sharing information. Today, Vendors appear to have two possible choices: make printing from mobile devices easier in an incremental fashion, or work more collectively to enable printing from mobile devices out-of-the-box for the user. It is this second approach that InfoTrends hopes to see all players embrace.

InfoTrends remains concerned that the longer users are potentially confused or unaware about how to print from their mobile devices, the faster they will learn to live without printing from this equipment.

Once this behavior has been learned and reinforced over time, it is unlikely that individuals will go back and adopt the practice at some stage in the future. If mobile printing is not quickly simplified, there is a danger that the majority of users may well adopt mobile workflows that have no requirement for printing.

For more information about the Developments in Mobile Printing: June 2013 report, as well as new research that InfoTrends is currently conducting on mobile device solutions (such as mobile printing and NFC functionality), contact Scott Phinney at Scott_Phinney@ infotrends.com. ■

Christine Dunne is a research analyst at InfoTrends which produces reports and presentations focused on the global imaging and printing market. www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

Germany

Sascha Kellert CEO of Ezeep

I believe what is today referred to as mobile and wireless printing will in future simply be referred to as printing – in other words: all printing will be mobile. It is only a matter of time until all peripherals will be smart devices “mobile ready” by default. Particularly in the enterprise space the challenge will be managing the fragmentation of the solution landscape ranging from OEM to ISV (Independent Software Vendor) products and the lack of technological standards. Mobile printing will not survive as a product category in its own right.

Only a unified service for managing print in organizations will succeed, whereby connectivity to printers from mobile devices is merely a component.

Independent and indeed any consumer mobile printing services will be dead or insignificant before they reach critical mass due to the faster decline in the need for print on the consumer side.

America

Sarah Henderson Director, MPS Operations, West Point Products

Printing from mobile devices offers great opportunities for our industry.

According to Lyra, mobile printing has the potential to grow from only 3 million pages in 2009 to nearly 2 billion pages by 2015! This projected growth should encourage us to provide solutions for clients and educating them on best ways to connect to printers in order to empower printing from any device that a consumer prefers. This will include the ability to effectively partner with clients embracing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy within the workplace and understanding the impact on workflow.

America

Bill Melo Vice President of Marketing, Services and Solutions at Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.

As the mobility of today’s workforce increases and BYOD becomes more of a standard than a trend, the importance of enabling employees to scan and print from a mobile device to a multifunction product is paramount.

PEOPLE

5 QUESTIONS What is the Real Deal in Sales Today?

Consulting Editor Phyllis Gurgevich talks to Tom Bersch, President, Veteran Toner Services

What are your quick thoughts on the Office Max and Office Depot merger?

Neither Office Depot nor Office Max histories show significant growth through major acquisitions. Both are relatively inexperienced in this area and it will take a good year of intensive work to see the merger activities really gear up.

I expect to see slow communication throughout the organization possibly creating a nervous sales force, leading them to lose focus. This inattentiveness can create an opportunity for other players to step in.

This impacts the merged company they become, and the overall market dynamics. What areas or trends are you looking at?

I think it’s great news to independent supplies dealers and the imaging supplies industry. We are at a time where there is a re-emergence of small to mid-size companies serving their large local customers. They can partner for power and are getting close on Big 3 pricing.

There is the idea that pur purchasing should consolidate vend vendors. This mindset takes diverse it items, such as janitorial, printi printing and office supplies. It throw throws them into one bucket bu and a says “Bid on this.” t The Th trend has enabled enable the Big 3 to almost ggive products the office produc away to capture other purchasers business. But pu remember: need to remembe free.” If “Nothing is for fr they step back and create categories they individual categor recognize would likely recog that there are cost ssavings benefit in that override any be

using vendor. uus sin inggBersch, a si ssingle ingl nglPresident, ng e vend dor. Veteran Toner Services Tom

Your career includes more than 25 years in office products and now exclusively toner. What are your thoughts on change and how are you embracing your new role?

I am very proud to be a part of Veteran Toner Services, being a veteran myself. Our owner is a disabled veteran and we have a solid commitment to hiring our heroes. We recognize this places us in a unique position.

Veteran Toner Services is classified as a Tier One minority vendor and this has opened doors to not only GSA and government contracts, it has also given us great access to Fortune 1000 companies looking to spend procurement dollars with Tier One vendors. We are a mid size firm, but we are on our way to becoming a major player.

Are there specific technical or service directions you see that foster growth?

There are a couple of things going on that put remanufacturers in a good position for growth. The GEO shutting down the import of illegal clones will weed out a lot of the one-hit, online sales dealers. Couple that with the biggest firms not supporting their smallest clients and we are looking at a favorable environment for our industry, and for our value supplier proposition.

In the near future MPS is definitely a space Veteran Toner Services wants to be in. Whether homegrown or acquired, look for us to be in that space.

What are the real deal activities that you and other companies should be engaging in to support growth?

Focus on the basics of marketing and branding.

Companies need a brand name and your name needs to be out there, so it can become recognizable. Look at your packaging and labeling, it should reflect your brand, look professional and absolutely needs to include re-order information.

We are investing in the most robust e-commerce site possible. We also will continue our growth through search engine optimization and social media marketing. We truly believe these areas to be the future of lead generation, collaboration and networking.

57

PEOPLE on the move, obituaries, special achievements Financial Expert Wants More Challenges Vincent Pilette—who spent more than 14 years at HP in finance—has now resigned from Electronics for Imaging (EFI) where he was Chief Financial Officer. He said EFI’s strong position makes it the right time for him to take on new challenges.

From Salesman to Market Analyser David Ramos—who has held sales management, consulting, and training positions with Xerox and IKON for almost 20 years—has been appointed Director of Channel Strategy at the market research analyst company, InfoTrends. He will provide a variety of business development services, forecast analysis, market sizing estimates, and marketing channel strategy services.

New Technology Master Leads Transformation Tracey Rothenberger—who was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Ricoh Americas in March—has gone public on his new role, saying he has to “get even deeper” into very complex business areas such as supply chains, to bring more value to teams that have unique skills.

HP to Announce Strategy toward Chips Matthew Barkley—who has led a number of programs and initiatives for HP’s printing supplies business for the past 12 years—will partner with market expert Elizabeth Porter to announce HP’s strategy to get tough on manufacturers of cartridge chips at China’s Zhuhai Conference in October. See page 13.

Departure after 17 Years Christa Carone—a 17 year Xerox veteran responsible for advertising, experiential marketing, PR, internal communications, integrated campaigns, interactive and social marketing—left her role as Chief Marketing Officer at the end of September, to head up communications at an undisclosed organization. www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

TECH ZONE

59

Mike Josiah Remanufacturing the Samsung SCX-6555 Toner Cartridges The Samsung SCX-6555 is a print/scan/ copy/fax engine that runs at 1200 dpi with speeds of up to 55ppm and has a first page out in under 8 seconds. The monthly duty cycle is 250,000 pages per month. These machines come in multiple configurations with different paper trays, duplexing, 80Gb hard drives, multi bin mail boxes and finishers all available. These are

not small machines with dimensions of 25” (W) x 19”(D) x 24”(H) and a base weight of 98lbs.

The Samsung toner cartridge SCXD6555A is rated for 25,000 pages, and has a list price of $87.99.00 USD. There is a separate toner and drum cartridge used in these machines. The drum unit part # SCXR6555A is rated for 80,000 pages and will be covered in separate instructions.

Read detailed remanufacturing process on: www.irecyclingtimes.com/techzone.php ■

LOOKING FOR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES FOR CARTRIDGES? Mike Josiah's popular toner cartridge procedures will be available online late 2013 as a library of more than 400 cartridge models. This service will be provided exclusively to Recycling Times Media readers by UniNet Imaging: www.uninetimaging.com

www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

MONEY FROM HOME

61

Art Diamond

Summer’s a Bummer for Toner Remember, we are dealing with a heat sensitive powder that will cake, melt or fuse at elevated temperatures

As this year’s northern hemisphere’s blazing hot summer days fade into the dark corners of our memory, with them go the woes of transporting toner.

Remember, we are dealing with a heat sensitive powder that will cake, melt or fuse at elevated temperatures. Melting and fusing are readily detectable phase changes, but caking can be a sinister and elusive problem. It can inhibit toner powder flow in a printer or copier and thereby cause image density to fall.

The Fusing Window These properties are dependent upon the choice of resin(s) and wax present in the toner formulation. The wax, typically comprising 3% to 5% of the toner weight, is known as a release agent. If properly selected from among a wide variety of natural (e.g., carnauba, montan) and synthetic (e.g., polyolefin) waxes it will melt within an optimal fusing window to ensure that neither cold offset nor hot offset occurs.

If toner melts above the fusing

temperature window, fusion is incomplete and a defect known as cold offset occurs. Here, some toner adheres to the fuser roller and is not released because its internal cohesion is too low. In other words, there is a lack of coalescence.

If toner melts below the fusing temperature window, the toner becomes too liquid and the toner film splits with a portion sticking to the fuser roller and the rest attached to the paper, or other imaging substrate.

The ideal state is that the toner will melt, coalesce and flow, yet not exhibit low internal cohesion.

bottles or cartridges. But for toner stored in 100-pound drums, the combination of elevated temperature plus the weight of the toner itself, could cause toner particles to agglomerate, clump, cake and inhibit the otherwise aerated, free-flow properties of toner powder.

You might want to run a standard caking test on a small pile (<10 grams) of toner in an aluminum foil weighing dish placed in an oven set at 120ºF for 24 or 48 hours, to emulate the conditions of toner carried in the trunk of a car exposed to the brutal sunshine of the American Southwest.

If toner is transported in drum quantities, then we must add pressure as a factor.

The combination of high pressure and temperatures reaching 115º to 120ºF (46ºC to 49ºC), would most likely cause caking, in my opinion, especially for today’s low temperature fusing toners.

Perhaps a better test would be to compare powder flow for fresh toner vs. transported toner that has been exposed to extreme temperature conditions. After all, powder flow is directly related to image density if one considers that even partial caking could inhibit toner transfer. ■

Toner Caking & Powder Flow To ensure that a toner will resist the extremely high temperatures that might be encountered during transport, it is necessary to run caking tests. At temperatures above 115ºF to 120ºF (46ºC to 49ºC) for an extended time period, there is the likelihood that caking will occur.

Pressure is not a factor for small quantities of toner, such as may be transported in

Art Diamond, a 58-year veteran of the imaging industry, is known globally as a consulting chemical engineer with 15 U.S. patents, author of the “Handbook of Imaging Materials,” CEO of Diamond Research Corporation, organizer of ImagExpo trade shows in the USA, Europe and Australia, and since 1984, the Santa Barbara Toner Seminar. <drc@west.net> www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

MY WORD

63

Phyllis Gurgevich Short Step or Long Leap?

As traditional cartridge remanufacturers seek to diversify and find paths for growth, 3D printing is definitely an interesting market to watch 3D printing hasn't reached mainstream manufacturing, tool and molding, status yet, but it’s certainly making some transportation as well as jewelry, toys, major in-roads. Demonstrating this is accessories, prosthetic devices and Staples' website where 3D printers are simple apparel. For the office imaging being marketed to home office and small industry, however, opportunity may just business markets with an entry point of be surfacing. around US$1,300 plus supplies. And just NovaCopy, for example, a leader in last month, Amazon launched a special state-of-the-art office technology, has retail section dedicated to 3D printers designed, manufactured, and printed this and supplies, making it even easier to year—which has ruffled a few feathers— print 3D models. a prosthetic foot for Buttercup, a Microsoft announced it will add 3D disabled drake (male duck) at a Memphis printing support to Windows 8.1, giving waterfowl sanctuary. Buttercup was millions of PCs hatched with a native support backward facing for 3D printing. left foot. The Connecting a only option was 3D printer to for a veterinarian a Windows to amputate the PC isn’t new. foot, leaving a However, stump that would currently many leave Buttercup 3D printing hobbling, very apps require unstable, and extensive threatening its NovaCopy CEO, Darren Metz, congratulates Buttercup manipulation survival. The on his new prosthetic foot. and time prosthetic duck’s translating your creation into a format foot developed by NovaCopy engineers the printer software can process. with assistance from the sanctuary, was Windows 8.1 will feature plug-anddesigned using 3-D design software. play support for 3D printers much like It took a 13½-hour printing process standard printers currently enjoy. to construct a new foot for Buttercup, My word, 3D printers and supplies allowing her to waddle happily away. are also showing up as a product line in The Buttercup story highlights the our office imaging industry as well. As convergence of human compassion traditional cartridge remanufacturers seek with cutting-edge technology. (Further, to diversify and find paths for growth, to keep the spirit alive, NovaCopy is 3D printing is definitely an interesting searching for a partner that will allow it market to watch. 3D printing holds the to work with other disabled animals.) potential to be disruptive, not necessarily Ever since it started operations in to the traditional print but rather to 1998, NovaCopy has embraced state-

of-the-art solutions to businesses. The company began as an office equipment company, selling and servicing copiers and multi-function printers. Today they provide workflow solutions to some 7,000 US-based businesses from its Nashville, Tennessee headquarters.

NovaCopy’s CEO, Darren Metz, has always created a tech-savvy solution that could offer more than just sales and service. He wisely saw the shift away from printed material and more toward digital documents and online solutions.

Coupling office equipment with digital document storage helped it create innovative workflow solutions.

NovaCopy is now recognized as Konica Minolta’s largest single line dealer in the United States as well as one of the fastest growing companies according to Inc Magazine. Metz told me, “The major similarities between a traditional printer and a 3D printer are that they both require a digital file to print, they live and function in an office environment and they are close in price. Beyond that,” he added, “the differences are immense.”

3D printers print in 3 dimensions—left to right, front to back and bottom to top, all at the same time, layer-by-layer. 3D printers print or produce color physical objects that can be held in your hand, not just a 2D color picture, text, or diagram on a piece of paper.

Advances in materials technology is one driver of the 3D industry that everyone is watching. Progress is being made daily in the materials arena that will affect many industries from aerospace to medical…and consumer products. ■ See photos of Buttercup and the full story on bit.ly/buttercup101

Phyllis Gurgevich, Consulting Editor of Recycling Times Magazine, has previously served the printing consumables industry for many years as publisher of Recharger Magazine and organizer of the World Expo. Gurgevich continues to be based in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

PATENTLY SPEAKING

65

Ed O'Connor US President Limits ITCs Authority If an ITC decision, however well-grounded in the law, is hurtful to American business interests, the President has the authority, and apparently now the will, to overturn that decision Not since Ronald Reagan, has a US president vetoed a decision by the International Trade Commission (ITC).

In a case before the ITC, instituted

by Samsung against Apple, it was determined Samsung's patent was valid and had been infringed by Apple. An exclusion order was issued prohibiting Apple from importing into the United States its products which utilize the technology covered by the Samsung patent at issue.

This is normal procedure. As a result, the business community has come to think of the ITC in the same way that it thinks of a court, i.e. that its decisions carry the force of law. In reality, the ITC is an arm of the government, as is the Customs Department.

Accordingly, it’s ultimately up to the President to determine whether or not to follow a determination made by the ITC. The purpose of the ITC is to protect American business interests. That generally extends to protecting American businesses’ intellectual property rights, particularly as it relates to products made overseas and imported into the United States. The printer cartridge industry is replete with examples of ITC orders directed at foreign competitors. These include Ninestar which I represented in an enforcement proceeding before the ITC.

The significance of the President's decision, over and above its application to the specific facts in the Apple/ Samsung case, is that it points to the political nature of the ITC. If an ITC decision, however well-grounded in the law, is hurtful to American business interests, the President has the authority, and apparently now the will, to overturn that decision. This is distinct from the court system, where the President has no authority to interfere with a decision made by the judicial branch of the government.

The Apple/Samsung dispute related to what are known as “standard essential patents” (SEPs), where a number of industries have gotten together to create uniform standards to which all agree to adhere. One of those is the smart phone industry which was at the heart of the Apple/ Samsung dispute.

As part of the standard agreements, parties who own patents in technology which is essential for the adherence to those standards, agree that they will license other signatories to the standard agreements, and will do so under terms that are fair; reasonable and nondiscriminatory (FRAND) terms.

Both Apple and Samsung were parties to a SEP agreement. Accordingly, they were both required to enter into good faith negotiations regarding the

terms of a prospective license from Samsung to Apple regarding Samsung's standard essential patents. Normally this would involve the parties agreeing to a reasonable royalty to be paid by Apple to Samsung. Experienced companies should be able to reach good-faith determinations as to the amount of a reasonable royalty.

The problem in this case, was that Apple also has a number of patents, and Samsung wanted a license to Apple's patents. Unlike the Samsung patents however the Apple patents were not essential for any of the industry standards. Accordingly, Apple took the position that Samsung was not seeking a fair reasonable and non-discriminatory royalty, but was rather attempting to force Apple to license patents to Samsung, which it otherwise would not have licensed.

The ITC agreed with Samsung and issued its exclusionary order. The matter went to the President's international trade representative who, acting under the authority of the President, determined that Samsung's requests were not fair and reasonable and vetoed the ITC order.

Rechargers, who are often dramatically affected by ITC proceedings, should know the functions and limitations of the ITC. Many also have patents, which may, or may not, be standard essential patents. Accordingly, this area of the law is very important particularly for those involved in the importation of foreign made products. ■

Edward O’Connor, chair of The Eclipse Group's litigation department, has represented clients before the United States Supreme Court and the International Trade Commission and has won patent infringement and antitrust cases throughout the United States. He will speak again in Zhuhai on October 16, 2013. <efo@eclipsegrp.com> www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue41

KEEPING UP

67

Steve Weedon Smartphones Sales Push Color Mobile Printing Most mobile printing will be color printing and that is why we must continue to improve the quality of our remanufactured color cartridge It was 1946 when AT&T established the first mobile network but surely not even their wizards could have predicted what would transpire over the next 67 years in the telecoms industry. There were around 3 billion people on the planet in 1946 and the world population had grown fairly slowly throughout human history.

However, it only took another 54 years, to 1999, for the world population to double to 6 billion. Today, according to the US and World Population clock, the population of the world is 7,101,988 and counting.

One new baby born every eight seconds and one die every 12 seconds giving a net gain of one person adding to the population every 13 seconds. The forecast is set to hit 10 billion by 2100.

In 1974, Theodore George Paraskevakos filed the first Basic Smartphone patent.

Another 20 years before IBM combined a cellphone and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) to create the first “smartphone” called the Simon Personal Communicator.

Then just 5 years later the Blackberry email pager was released and suddenly things started to take off. In 2000, Ericson released the

R380 and termed it a smartphone and the word has stuck ever since. 2007 Apple released its iPhone and touch screen and 2008 Google released the Android OS and quickly became the dominant mobile operating system.

More than 6 billion people have access to a mobile phone today and it will not be long before there are more mobile phones in use than people on the planet. 45 out of the 64 most populous countries on earth have more mobile phone subscribers than their respective populations. Tablet sales are now outpacing PC sales and will surpass PC sales within the next year.

Why is this good for our industry?

Printed page volumes are declining, albeit there are still around 3 trillion sheets printed a year and the forecast is to remain fairly steady through to 2017. The PC companies are having a hard time with decreased sales, which is bad news for PC makers but tablets and smartphones are flying off the shelves. Both the smartphone and the tablets have the “print enable” function and mobile printing from these devices has shown consistent year on year growth.

Our industry used to depend

on PC sales. When a PC was sold a printer was not far behind, arriving with an original cartridge that got used quickly and replaced quickly. The empty cartridges became the life-blood of the remanufacturing industry that mushroomed over 25 years to become an important global industry. Now we do not only rely on the PC sales, smartphones and tablets all have the print function and enable a printer to make a printed page, and that is what we need, and these devices are selling like hot cakes.

Monochrome pages still dominate the 3 trillion pages printed each year, but color is growing. We as an industry have an outstanding market share in monochrome of between 25 and 30%. Color however is not the same story. Most analysts believe the aftermarket is only around 8% and in a growing market we should be doing better. End users make a choice to print in color and that is why every color page printed is special for that end user. It is not a question of density and defect free as is monochrome. It is a question of perfect color match and print defect free in color. End users are very discerning when it comes to the color print. Most mobile printing will be color printing and that is why we must continue to improve the quality of our remanufactured color cartridge.

For as long as smartphones and tablets devices carry the print function button we will see potential growth for color cartridges for the aftermarket. The question is whether we can improve the performance and get closer to the original cartridge quality to win over discerning customers yet to be persuaded by price alone. ■ For 40 years, Steve Weedon has been a senior manager at Nashua, Katun Corp, Kalle Infotec, Gestetner and Static Control. He started the Recycler Trade Magazine in 1992. He is a Brit, living in America, with a parts supply business based in Hong Kong. <steve@discoverimaging.com> www.iRecyclingTimes.com|Issue43

68 THE LISTS Next Month’s Poll Question What do you consider were the key issues affecting remanufacturers in 2013?

Go online to vote:irecyclingtimes.com

Top 5 Printer OEMs in 2Q 2013 (Unit Shipments) According to the International Data Corporation Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker

1. HP

Research To What Extent Have You Embraced Mobile Printing?

Unit Shipments: 10,552,885 Market Share: 40.5% 2. Canon Unit Shipments: 5,554,638 Market Share: 21.3% 3. Epson Unit Shipments: 3,285,962 Market Share: 12.6% 4. Brother Unit Shipments: 1,784,541 Market Share: 6.9%

InBox Letters and blogs from readers

• HP's new Reseller Program will be a windfall for OEM cartridge counterfeiters.

Beginning Nov 1, 2013 HP Resellers will be restricted to selling directly to the "End User" forcing the aftermarket to "find" someone that will sell them an OEM cartridge and thus making them vulnerable to counterfeiters.

Rick Ethridge, Director at RemanFan.com

5. Samsung

1. I used a mobile print app once to browse my smart device’s photo gallery and select images to be printed; 23% 2. I occasionally use my device to send photos and/or documents to a nearby printer; 19% 3. I regularly send documents and/or photos from my device to a printer at the office or home; 19%

Unit Shipments: 1,382,551 Market Share: 5.3% (http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS24275613)

Top 9 Favorite CEOs in Print Industry According to Andy Slawetsky at Industry Analysts, Inc.

1. HP, Meg Whitman, 80% 2. Sharp Electronics, Kozo Takahashi, 78%

4. I have instructed my staff to install mobile printing apps on their tablet or smartphone devices, and to join me in regularly using them when printing; 15%

3. Toshiba, Norio Sasaki, 73%

5. I have no idea what mobile printing can do and have never tried it; 12%

7. Samsung America, Yangkyu (Y.K.) Kim, 50%

6. I tried to use my device to print off a photo or document, but it was all too hard and confusing, so I gave up. 12%

9. Xerox, Usula Burns, 29%

4. Lexmark, Paul Rooke, 72% 5. Canon, Fujio Mitarai, 70%

• Through my real life experience I have encountered counterfeit cartridges and even printer replacement parts. For example: I once brought HP 5000 fusers ordered from a reputable Canon/HP parts dealer. The fuser was clearly a counterfeit.

Counterfeit fusers are becoming more and more common, along with feed rollers.

The supplier in this case said they got it from their same distributor and kind of brushed it off. I firmly believe there are a number of forms that counterfeits come in.

Bernie D., Sales Engineer at Schoon

6. Ricoh, Shiro Kondo, 62% 8. Konica Minolta, Masatoshi Matsuzaki, 40%

(http://industryanalysts.com/meg-whitman-is-print-industrysfavorite-ceo/)

BERTO

• Thank you for the efforts in visiting India and meeting all of us. Please note the Indian rechargers association has a new website at www.icrra.org. We received the link for "inTouch TV News" for the “Focus on India” episode which was very well done. We will be publicizing the same through our members. At this stage there are quite a few people who are planning to visit Zhuhai for the exhibition, and you may be aware that the 2013 ReIndia show in Mumbai has been cancelled again.

Deepak Jalihal, Secretary, ICRRA

DID YOU KNOW?

Consumers struggle to keep up with mobile printing technology (see p52) Issue43|www.iRecyclingTimes.com

According to IDC, pages printed by single and multi-function printers in 2012 could cover the surface area of New York City 237 times.