Xerox reinvents paper

Johannesburg, 15 Oct 2007

International document solutions vendor Xerox is reassessing its paper stable as it looks to stay ahead of the curve.

So says Irina Maslennikova, VP of the company`s supplies and paper business in developing markets.

Like other companies in the printing and imaging arena, Xerox receives a significant amount of its revenue and profit from its consumables division.

However, Maslennikova says while the company`s innovation on paper and supplies threaten this income, it will survive.

"We are looking at our paper and supplies business proactively. We are listening to our customers and focusing on pre-empting their requirements. If it is the future, we should - and must - embrace it. We must get to the market first," she explains.

Maslennikova says the company is looking to address three key challenges that face the paper industry. These are the waste of natural resources, recycling difficulty and the fact that it can only present static information.

Going green

Xerox`s Webster, New York-based laboratory dedicated to paper innovations has already made several breakthroughs. This includes the launch of its high-yield business paper earlier this year.

"Our high-yield business paper is the industry`s first digitally optimised mechanical fibre paper. It uses half as many trees and is considerably lighter. This is good for the environment and good for customers who are looking for more cost-effective mailing options," says Maslennikova.

Although mechanical fibre paper has been around for some time, Maslennikova says Xerox`s high-yield paper has dealt with challenges around curling and dust, which had previously made it inappropriate for digital print environments.

Another paper innovation to come from its Webster Research Centre is its DuraPaper and Never Tear Paper.

Pre-coated, the DuraPaper and Never Tear Paper can be used for normal colour and monochrome printing. Both are weather, chemical and tear resistant due to innovation introduced to bond toner on contact.

Erasable printing

Although not available to consumers, Xerox is also trialling erasable paper.

Paul Smith, laboratory manager of Xerox`s Canadian research centre, says the company is well on its way to making reusable paper a reality.

"We have been working on ways to make self-erasing paper and printing a reality. We have established a way to 'mark` paper using photochromic switching. Basically, this means we print using ultra-violet light and the 'print` fades after a day or two. Alternatively, the print can be erased by undoing the UV marking," he explains.

Although the print in Xerox`s erasable printing is somewhat lighter and less sharp than a normal print, Smith says very few prints made on a printer are kept for longer than a few days.

"This is about addressing short-term print needs like the printing of a daily calendar, a meeting agenda or even a news article. Our surveys show that in the office, about 44.5% of documents are printed for one-time use. We are addressing this type of print and offering solutions which help cut down on paper recycling, wastage and high costs," he explains.

Maslennikova was unable to say when this technology would become commercially available.