The Recycler Issue 331

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FEATURE Pelikan set to challenge the OEM space Pelikan announces a range of Bio Based reusable cartridges and will be positioned 25% cheaper for the end user compared to buying a new original OEM cartridge. FEATURED A R TIC L E Print-rite, owners of the 182-year-old Pelikan brand has launched a range of bio based reusable cartridges creating a new category of product which is completely game-changing in terms of environmental impact. Steve Weedon, CEO at Pelikan and Print- Rite Europe explained: “This new Bio Based cartridge is made from reusable bio plastics with a Bio based toner made of 48% organic materials, all of which is certified by the TUV accreditation. The new cartridges have a lower C02 footprint and all the components can be recovered for reuse or remanufacturing but if they are thrown away and effectively end up in landfill, they will start to decompose at around 90-180 days at 16°C (60°F) and 90% humidity.” Commenting on the print quality, Weedon responded “Because of the bio-based ingredients in the toner the print density is actually improved and there is no sacrifice at all in terms of print output performance. The print performance is quite outstanding scoring 1.54 on the solid area density test and with a very low background test of 0.5.” Bio-based Plastic: What does that mean? The Pelikan cartridge toner is reported to have 48% bio-based content and 57% for the bio-based plastics. The 3D HUBS website explains: “The bio-based plastic is made of PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a biodegradable (under the correct conditions) thermoplastic derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. It is one of the most popular bioplastics, used for many applications ranging from plastic cups to medical implants. The other plastic used in the cartridge is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), a common thermoplastic well known in the injection molding industry. It is used for applications such as LEGO, electronic housings and automotive bumper parts.” In making the PLA plastic Weedon said “We use organic materials like coffee grind, soya, sugars, starch, plants and wood. As a thermoplastic, it has the characteristic that at a low temperature the cartridge plastic can be returned to a usable thermoplastic amorphous liquid that can be reused. And during that process no toxic gasses are given off.” The BBC Science Focus website says “Bioplastics made of cornstarch and other plant-based materials are a better bet. They give off CO2 as they decompose, but they’re merely expelling carbon locked in by the plant matter that originally formed them. The net effect on the environment is therefore close to zero.” The European Bioplastics website states “There is no common agreement on a minimal value yet due to varying regional regulations in Europe. In Japan an industry-wide commitment sets the “biomass margin” at “25 percent renewable material”. According to the USDA Biopreferred Programme, “the minimum share of renewable material ranges from 7 to 95 percent” depending on defined product category rules.” Reusable too: According to Pelikan, “Once used, the cartridge can be remanufactured using standard components just like the OEM used cartridge. Like all Print-Rite Patent Safe Cartridges, it is not designed as a Single Use Cartridge (SUC). If the cartridge ends up in landfill, the bio plastic will start to decompose at 90 - 180 days at 60°F and 90% humidity.” Is there a demand for bio-plastics? Again the European Bioplastics assesses the demand for bioplastics “represent about one percent of the more than 359 million tonnes of plastic produced annually. But as demand is rising, and with more sophisticated biopolymers, applications, and products emerging, the market for bioplastics is continuously growing and diversifying. According to the latest market data compiled by European Bioplastics in cooperation with the research institute nova-Institute, global bioplastics production capacity is set to increase from around 2.11 million tonnes in 2019 to approximately 2.43 million tonnes in 2024.” Global production capacities of bioplastics Bio-based/non-biodegradable Biodegradable Forecast Total Capacity Source: European Bioplastics, nova-Institute (2019) 36 Issue 331 June 2020
visit www.therecycler.com for all the breaking news New and innovative biopolymers, such as bio-based PP (polypropylene) and PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) show the highest relative growth rates. In 2019, bio-based PP entered the market on a commercial scale with a strong growth potential due to the widespread application of PP in a wide range of sectors. Their production capacities are predicted to almost sextuple by 2024. PHAs are an important polymer family, whose production capacities are estimated to more than triple in the next five years. These polyesters are 100 percent bio-based and biodegradable, and feature a wide array of physical and mechanical properties depending on their chemical composition. What about the OEMs? In 2010 Canon and Toray Industries announced the successful development of the industry's largest exterior part made using bio-based plastic. The part, for use in Canon multifunction office systems for production printing, also achieves the world's highest level of flame retardance. The plant-derived bio-based plastics, which curb increases in CO2 and decrease The Pelikan cartridge toner is reported to have 48% bio-based content and 57% for the bio-based plastics. the consumption of oil resources, offer material properties that effectively reduce environmental burden. But because of the technological difficulties involved in realizing the moldability and other flow characteristics demanded of large-scale parts, while at the same time satisfying external appearance requirements and high mechanical strength and toughness criteria, bio-based plastics had proven difficult to adopt for use in exterior parts, particularly due to the high level of flame retardance required of such parts. HP have been looking at bio-based plastics since the turn of the century and is (or was) one of their environmental goals. Rumour has it there have been a few problems along the way. John Frey, who chaired Hewlett Packard’s environmental strategies council said at the time “The first problem we had was the polylacticacid (PLA) we used came from genetically modified crops, and that never could have been used in Europe. The other problem is that they weren’t really heat stable. I took one of the pilots to a meeting in downtown Houston and then left it in my car. When I came back, the whole shell had caved in around the printer mechanism. ■ Specialists in the Purchase of Unused OEM Toner for over 10 years Purchasing WE BUY SURPLUS UNUSED PRINTER TONERS & INKS Find us on: software • One of the UK's largest independent buyers of surplus OEM toners • Any OEM manufacturer, any quantity • Any grade, including ‘Open Box’ and ‘No Box’ • Friendly, expert staff • Fast, genuine & reliable quotes • Pan European service • Environmentally responsible Call us on 01462 605050 or visit www.thejollysavage.co.uk Find us on: software The Jolly Savage Ltd www.thejollysavage.co.uk +44(0) 1462 605050 admin@thejollysavage.co.uk Issue 331 June 2020 37
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The Recycler Issue 331

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