OEM develops printer that can erase printed text and images, benefitting environment.
Toshiba Tec‘s newly unveiled “Loops” copier system has the ability to erase text and images from paper it has printed on, reports Wirth Consulting, helping to reduce office printing and cut costs.
The printer uses erasable ink that can be removed using “a system that applies heat to erase text and images from prints”, resulting in a blank sheet of paper that can be used for printing another document. The system is also able to sort through the prints following the erasing process and discard any damaged paper.
In terms of volume, the printer is able to erase up to 30 sheets per minute, with each sheet of paper having the ability to be re-used up to five times, reducing paper consumption by “up to 80 percent compared to traditional copiers” and carbon emissions by “up to 60 percent”.
The printer is expected to be available in Japan from February 2013 at a price of ¥1.41 million ($16,320/€12,346), with Toshiba planning to sell the printer under an alternative brand name from May 2013 and aiming to sell 30,000 units worldwide over the next three years.