Plastic MFDs for Sustainability
Plastic MFDs for Sustainability
February 2, 2007: As Ricoh is again listed as one of the world’s top 100 sustainable organisations by the World Economic Forum, the Japanese company says it’s preparing to manufacture vegetable-based plastics in its multi-functional printing devices.
Compiled by Innovest, a research and analysis firm, the Global 100 is developed be comparing corporations against each other on their efforts to manage the environmental alongside social and governance risks. The research also investigates a corporation’s ability to harness new business opportunities in the area of sustainability.
It’s a successful milestone for Ricoh that Robi George, Ricoh’s Australia Business Excellence Manager, attributes to ambitious corporate social responsibility programs. “Being a good corporate citizen means striving to be a valued and respected member of society by contributing to its sustainable growth,” he says. “The Global 100 list is extremely significant as it acknowledges our ongoing efforts towards this end.”
Ricoh is gearing up for the release of a range of office devices that it says are 100 percent sustainable. One example obtained by IDM includes a plastic folder made from natural corn. The folder looks and feels like plastic, is seemingly as versatile as plastic, yet is made entirely from natural corn instead of the usual oil base found in standard other plastics.
But it’s not just plastic folders munching on the veggies. In 2006, Ricoh announced the world’s first multi-functional printer (MFD) to use plant-based plastic. By utilising plant sources, Ricoh says hardware can more easily be recycled as it plant-based plastics limit the amount of fossil carbons that contribute to greenhouse gasses once incinerated.
Ricoh says it’s currently trialling MFDs in Japan that contain more then 50 percent plant content. Already Ricoh has managed to overcome some of the structural limitations of the plant-based materials, and will now work on resolving some remaining technical issues before incorporating the plastics across its printer range.
“We have a global corporate mission to protect the planet and this is another pro-active step in achieving that goal,” says George. “Although still a pilot program we are confident Australian businesses will be using more ecologically sound devices in the not so distant future.”
“Just three years ago plastics made from plants were considered unsuitable for copiers due to inadequate heat resistance, poor impact resistance and limited formability,” says Tadakatsu Harada of Ricoh’s Research and Development Group. “We’ve worked together with a materials manufacturer to develop a plastic that works. Our effort is the first step in the right direction.”
Australian companies on the Global 100 list included Investa Property Group, Insurance Australia Group and Westpac.