Toner Ink News: events trends and key updates

Toner Ink News: events trends and key updates

Author notice. I have been producing this technical information service since 1983. Initially, it was in the form of hardcopy where separate versions were provided for toner and inkjet and included complete patent copies. We switched to a digital version around 2003 and have been providing a combined toner/inkjet version since then. We have decided that December will be the last issue for this newsletter. I have been in this industry for 48 years and it is time to focus on other interests. I will remain involved in the digital imaging industry with limited consulting and where appropriate assistance with research projects via industry laboratory connections. I wish all my readers a happy new year and a wish that 2021 will be a successful (and more normal) year. I will still be available for limited consulting, particularly for toner or ink technology, formulations, raw materials or IP issues.

Events

In an unsurprising announcement DRUPA, scheduled for Spring 2021, has officially been cancelled and will operate as “virtual.drupa”. The next scheduled Drupa will be 28 May to 7 June 2024.
Information Management Institute (IMI) held the first of its new semi-monthly virtual Inkjet Age of Materials meetings. Fortunately, the digital imaging industry has continued to function despite the Corona Virus, and this is one means for industry scientists and business executives to obtain current information with the reality of in-person cancelled meetings. Additional sessions will be held January 20, March 17, May 19, July 21 and September 15. To obtain additional information contact: www.imiconf.com

Trends

With the latest International Data Corporation Worldwide Quarterly Industrial Printer Tracker results there are signs that the printer industry is starting to recover from COVID-19. According to the report, North American industrial printer shipments grew 36% in 3Q compared to the second quarter. Total large-format shipments grew 53% in the quarter.
IDC also reported that worldwide hardcopy peripheral shipments for the third quarter increased 8.6% year over year to approximately 26.2 million units. HP had the largest market share (44%) at about 11.6 million units followed by Canon Group (21%) about 5.8 million units, Epson (16%), Brother (7%), Kyocera (2%) and others (10%).
A recent report from the American Forest & Paper Association showed that paper consumption had dropped 24% in October compared to the same time a year earlier. Coated free sheet declined 16% while uncoated free sheet declined 18%.

Industry updates

Baker Hughes specialty polymers business has been transferred to NuCera Solutions as of October 1, 2020. NuCera produces is a leading producer of linear high crystallinity polyethylene waxes, functional polymers, and dispersions that are being used both in the toner and ink industries.

Heidelberg has sold its Belgian printing chemicals site and business to DC Druck Chemie GmbH. The sale includes BluePrint Products NV and Hi-Tech Chemicals (Krubeke, Belgium).

Eastman Kodak has chosen Pigment Inc. B.V. to distribute the Kodak Kodacolor EDYG Series aqueous-based Direct-to-Garment inks in Europe.

Printers

Canon has introduced three new units for its PIXMA G Megatank printer series, including the G1220 Single-Function, G2260 All-In-One, and G3260 Wireless All-In-One MegaTank printers. Print speeds are up to 10.8 ipm for black/6 for color. The ink bottles provide up to 7700 pages for color/6000 for black.

Durst has introduced the P5 350 HS printing system with the capability of up to 600 m2/hr, which is twice as fast as the previous PS 350 model. With the new printer is a complete line of new POP Flexible LED inks.

Epson has introduced the SureColor SC-F100, its first A4 dye-sublimation printer for textile decorating. The printer uses the Epson PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead and 140 ml ink bottles.

Konica Minolta has introduced the AccurioPress C4080 Series digital color press line as a replacement for the C3080 Series. The units offer high productivity with speeds up to 80 ppm and up to 3600×2400 equivalent dpi resolution plus many finishing options.

Konica Minolta has also introduced the C257i color A3 multifunction printer. The device offers 25 ppm with higher print quality.

Sharp has added two new high-volume color multifunction printers. The MX-7081 and MX- 8081 provide capability up to 70 or 80 ppm in either monochrome or color.

Hewlett-Packard has introduced a business solution with the potential to disrupt the traditional digital supplies market. HP+ builds on their “instant ink” subscription plan and will now cover both jet ink and toner. Staples is the first partner and will reportedly offer complete printing solution plans starting as low as $1.99 per month. This plan will launch with the LaserJet M200 Series and OfficeJet Pro 8000 and 9000 series with a global rollout in 2021. HP has sweetened the introduction with 6 months free ink and 1 year extended printer warranty.

Clariant has decided that its Electronic Materials business was no longer a strategic fit and has therefore decided to sell the business to Agfa. The main product to be transferred is the PRELECT TPS Nano Silver Conductive inks, which will now join Agfa’s Orgacon portfolio of printed electronic inks.

Agfa has also introduced the InterioJet 3300 interior decorating system for customization of floors, wall coverings, etc. The system prints simultaneously on two rolls with up to 155 cm width and up to 340 m2/hr and with paperweight up to 600 Kg.

Epson will expand the SureColor T-Series wide-format printers with the T3170M and T5170M multifunction units. Print media up to 24”x36” and D size prints as fast as 31 seconds. 600 dpi scanner. 80 ml black cartridges/50 ml color. Price estimate between $2545 and $4995.

We had earlier announced that Oki will discontinue selling OEM branded printers in the U.S. However, in Europe, they have just launched the C650, the world’s smallest A4 color printer. This LED printer offers speeds up to 35 ppm.

Konica Minolta has expanded its AccurioPrint series with the new C750i model that offers 70 ppm speed (color)/75 monochrome. The new printer comes with document processing and finishing making it ideal for small print shops.

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