Earlier this year, two HP ElectroInk manufacturing facilities implemented a new particle grinding process that reduces the energy consumption by up to 40 per cent in the manufacture of the inks.
The energy savings comes from newly designed custom equipment used in what had been one of the most energy-intensive manufacturing steps for HP ElectroInk.
"HP is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of its facilities across the globe," says Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manger, Indigo division, HP.
"Our new HP ElectroInk manufacturing process is an excellent example of how HP focuses on smart innovation – investing in research, product development and materials in ways to benefit our customers, our company and the environment."
The increase in HP ElectroInk manufacturing capacity supports the continuing, rapid page-growth with HP Indigo. According to analyst firm InfoTrends, HP Indigo led the high-volume digital colour production market for the United States and Western Europe¹ regarding unit placements in 2006.
The compound annual growth rate for page production on HP Indigo presses has exceeded 40 per cent for more than three years², and ink production must scale to meet this trend.
The two HP ElectroInk plants are based in Rehovot, Israel, and Kiryat Gat, Israel. The HP ElectroInk plant in Singapore will also be revamped to adopt the new, energy-efficient manufacturing process.
HP says its ElectroInk is one of the most efficient supplies available in the digital press market. As a liquid ink, it is applied in layers that are thinner than what is possible with dry toners. This thin layer not only gives HP Indigo presses a level of true offset-quality that is unmatched by other technologies, the volume of ink used is less than the amount of dry toner that would be used to create the same image.
Through an initiative started with the World Wildlife Fund in 2006, HP has pledged to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its operating facilities worldwide.
Separately, HP has pledged to reduce its global energy use by 20 per cent by 2010. The new HP ElectroInk manufacturing process supports both of these important HP goals.
Sources
¹InfoTrends, Inc., “U.S. Production Copying & Printing Market Placements: 2006,” March, 2007; “Western European Production Copying & Printing Market Placements: 2006,” April, 2007.
²HP internal data, 2003 through July 2007
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