OKI Intros Bioplastic in Its Manufacturing Process

OKI Data Corporation, a provider of printer solutions, announced it will introduce a bioplastic part consisting of at least 25 percent (by weight) of plant-based renewable biomass resources in all its printers and multifunction products (MFPs).

The introduction of bioplastic is expected to reduce its annual CO2 emissions by three tons, company officials said. Products manufactured from March 2011 will incorporate bioplastic. This initiative will mark the first effort among OKI (News - Alert) Group companies to use bioplastic in products.

OKI Data sells about 1.1 million printers and MFPs annually. The company’s green initiatives will benefit consumers in 120 countries, company officials said.

“Plant-based renewable bioplastics reduce environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions and the petroleum resources consumed,” said Harushige Sugimoto, president of OKI Data, in a statement.

As part of its green initiatives, OKI Data is developing products and technologies to reduce environmental impact. The company has long considered using bioplastic in its printers and MFPs. However, compared to traditional plastic, bioplastics offer formidable challenges in the areas of flame resistance, strength, heat resistance, and formability.

As part of its commitment to reducing its CO2 emissions, OKI has set a goal to cut emissions by 6 percent by 2012 compared to 2007 levels. Introduction of bioplastics is one of the tools to achieve this green goal. The company also plans to replace traditional petroleum-derived plastics with plant-based renewable bioplastics in its future printers and MFPs.

The bioplastic used in the printers and MFPs is based on polyactic acid, a plant-based renewable resource. It offers enhanced flame resistance, strength, heat resistance, and formability, as well as high transparency and ease of processing, qualities that allow use of the product to form elements ranging from exterior components to mechanical parts.

Recently, OKI Data Americas, which markets its products under the OKI Printing Solutions brand, announced  it will showcase its cost-efficient products and customized solutions for K-12 education at the Annual Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Convention & Exposition in Austin, February 8-11.