World’s First Dry Process Office Papermaking System Comes to Europe

Epson, the global technology leader and innovator, will showcase PaperLab - the world’s first¹ dry process compact office papermaking system in Europe for the first time this year. PaperLab is capable of producing new paper from securely destroyed waste paper² using a dry process³ and can produce thousands of sheets of recycled paper a day.

PaperLab is ideal for organisations that need to securely destroy confidential information as well as recycle paper in an environmentally friendly, eco-efficient and sustainable way. PaperLab will be shown for the first time in Europe at CeBIT (Hannover, 20 -24 March) as part of a major exhibition of Epson’s innovative efficient, compact and precision workplace technologies.

Epson’s global president, Mr Minoru Usui, will attend CeBIT where he is due to present PaperLab along with Epson’s latest range of technologies designed for the workplace. Mr Usui will also be giving a keynote speech on the future of technology in the workplace and will explain how Epson’s technology and future vision will enhance the workplace and improve the quality of people’s lives.

Mr Usui commented, “I’m enormously proud to be able to present PaperLab, the world’s first office papermaking system using a dry process. PaperLab is capable of producing new paper from securely destroyed waste paper and can produce thousands of sheets of recycled paper a day.

“Launched in Japan late last year, we plan to start selling PaperLab in Europe by the Autumn of 2018. Our aim is to create a new office printing ecosystem where customers can enjoy high-speed inkjet printers using paper recycled by PaperLab. PaperLab is ideal for organisations that need to securely destroy confidential information and recycle paper using a sustainable process.

“My vision is for a world in which you can print and then recycle all the paper you want.  One day I hope we can develop PaperLabs of all sizes and see them used in factories, in offices and even in your home.”

Organisations will be able to use PaperLab to produce paper of various sizes, thickness and types, from office paper to business card and coloured paper.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Epson has outlined its Environmental Vision 2050, targeting a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions across the life cycle of all its products and services by 2050.

PaperLab Features

1. Dry Fibre technology

Defibration

A defibration unit developed by Epson mechanically breaks down used paper into long, thin fibres without using water. All traces of information are completely and securely destroyed instantaneously.

Binding

The fibres from the used paper are binded together using a binding material. This material is available in a number of different colors to allow PaperLab users to produce paper in an array of colours or to increase paper whiteness.

Forming

Pressure is applied to the binded fibres to form new sheets of paper. PaperLab users can produce A4- and A3-sized sheets in various thicknesses by setting controls for paper density, thickness, and shape.

2. Enhanced security 

PaperLab enhances information security by completely destroying confidential documents. Instead of being transported off-site by a contractor, waste paper is reduced to fine fibres on site. Unlike paper that has been run through a shredder, the fibres carry no discernible information whatsoever. PaperLab is therefore an ideal solution for local government offices and other institutions that handle large volumes of confidential documents. It protects personal data while giving institutions, residents, and customers peace of mind.

3. Fast production of various types of paper

PaperLab produces the first new sheet of paper in about three minutes of having loaded it with waste paper and pressing the Start button. It can produce about 720 sheets of A4 paper per hour. By upcycling used paper into paper that has higher value, such as copier paper, cardstock for business cards, or colored paper for handbills, companies and local governments can produce whatever kind of new paper products they want, whenever they need them.

4. Lower environmental impacts

PaperLab creates paper in a waterless papermaking process. Ordinarily it takes about a cup of water to make a single A4 sheet of paper. Given that water is a precious global resource, Epson felt a dry process was needed.

Note: A small amount of water is used to maintain a certain level of humidity inside the system.

*1 PaperLab is the first in-office papermaking system to use a dry process, according to Seiko Epson’s global research as of November 2016.
*2 The system can use ordinary A3- and A4-sized copy paper as raw material.
*3 A small amount of water is used to maintain a certain level of humidity inside the system.