From traditional technology to a new paradigm

The corporate printing market is going through a technological transformation that calls into question the dominance of laser systems. In this context, Epson, a world leader in printing and imaging technology, announced the regional expansion of its “Toner Free” initiative in Latin America., with the aim of accelerating the adoption of inkjet technology in that segment.

Historically, the corporate segment was dominated by laser printers, a technology that requires high temperatures to melt plastic toner powder onto paper. The environmental impact associated with this process is significant: each year, the global laser printing industry produces toner with an amount of plastic equivalent to 246 billion straws, 20 billion bags or 5 billion bottles.

Faced with this scenario, Epson decided to stop marketing laser printers globally and concentrate its developments on inkjet technology. PrecisionCore® Heat-Free, present in its business printing solutions.

Unlike laser systems, This technology does not use plastic toner powder or require heat to expel the ink onto the paper. This reduces electricity consumption and waste generation associated with printing operations in organizations.

The initiative is part of the vision of Epson WorkForce®: “Reinventing printing”, an approach that proposes rethinking business printing systems based on technologies designed to respond to the needs of the corporate environment.

Printing as part of the business sustainability strategy

The incorporation of more efficient technologies becomes relevant in a context in which Latin American companies advance in the definition of environmental objectives. According to the KPMG study “Sustainability reports on the way to becoming mandatory: it's time to prepare”, 69% of the 100 largest companies in each country in the region already publish sustainability reports, while 77% established carbon emissions reduction targets.

In this scenario, decisions related to technological infrastructure can also contribute to the fulfillment of these goals. "The technological decisions we make every day are also business decisions. When a company chooses how to print, it is also defining how much it consumes, how much waste it generates and how efficient its operation can be. With 'Toner Free' we want to demonstrate that even a technology as everyday as printing can become a concrete opportunity to move towards more efficient and responsible operations," explains Isabel Yépez, Epson Senior Marketing Manager for Latin America.

"For years, business printing has been almost automatically associated with laser technology. Today we want to change that conversation. With PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology we demonstrate that inkjet can respond to the needs of the corporate environment and, at the same time, offer concrete advantages in electricity consumption and waste generation. 'Toner Free' is an invitation to companies to reconsider a technological decision that is often taken for granted," he adds.

A proposal that advances in the region

The Toner Free initiative is part of Epson's global sustainability strategy, which integrates innovation and technological development to help reduce the environmental impact of its operations and the solutions it offers to the market.

Among its main commitments is the transition to the use of 100% renewable energy at all its operational sites, a goal achieved in January 2024. Added to this are the goals of emissions reduction by 2030, endorsed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and the commitment to eliminate the use of non-renewable subsoil resources to 2050.

In Latin America, This strategy is also reflected in reforestation actions. In Chile, Epson works together with the Reforestemos organization to promote the planting of a tree for each WorkForce® line printer sold. The program has already allowed the planting of more than 14,800 trees and spread to other countries in the region, including Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Argentina.

To learn more about this technology and access success stories of its implementation in the corporate sector, you can visit latin.epson.com/workforce-blog

Integración Empresaria Magazine was present at the Epson showroom in Argentina, where the company held live demonstrations to explain the differences between its technology Heat-Free and laser printing systems.

While laser printers use heat to melt toner powder onto paper, the technology PrecisionCore Epson ejects small droplets of ink directly onto the surface, without the need for heat. This operation allows you to reduce electricity consumption by up to 86% and generate up to 53% less waste, compared to equivalent color laser printers.

Additionally, PrecisionCore is a scalable technology, designed to reduce the number of parts that need replacement, decreasing the chances of interruptions during operation. With a 100% toner-free business portfolio, Epson aims to offer solutions that combine efficiency, productivity and a lower environmental impact.