Breakthrough in Bio-Based Resin and Toner


There have been several attempts by toner producers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to address the challenge of using plant based renewable resources and develop cost effective approaches to de-ink fused toners from office waste copies.

To date, none of these readily de-inkable toner technologies are commercial due to their high cost and inadequate de-inking features.

But things are changing.

Advanced Image Resources (AIR) has developed and is bringing to the market a bio-based solution for resins and toners that meets the demands and challenges required for a commercial viable product.

Specific improvements with bio-based soy toners include:

• High quality of copies and prints


• Easy and ready removal of toners from fused images in the recovery of secondary fiber in a paper de-inking mill


• Simpler and less capital intensive de-inking process


• Help in finding value-added uses for office waste paper and thus increase collection and recycle of waste paper


• Raw material for toner resin is based on renewable resource and thus minimizing reliance on scarce fossil source


• Total energy savings – in the manufacture of resin, de-inking process, less need for virgin cellulose fiber


• Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions


• A systems oriented solution that helps OEMs, secondary fiber mills that manufacture de-inked fibers from office waste, waste paper collection and process industry, and society at large by offering an environmentally friendly solution that has benign impact.