Ramsey, N.J. – March 17, 2008 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that its bizhub C650 andbizhub C550 color multifunctional products (MFPs – print, copy, fax, and scan all in one system) have won a highly prestigious energy conservation award from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The award – known officially as the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Director-General's Award – is validation that Konica Minolta continues to produce MFPs and printers that reduce environmental impact. For example, Konica Minolta's proprietary SimitriTM Polymerized Toner has a lower melting point, and it also boasts an induction heating fixing process that applies inductive heating only to the fixing roller surface, which reduces warm-up time.  The bizhubTM C650/C550 systems both provide optimal power control in each operating mode.

"Konica Minolta is committed to making our products environmentally friendly during the manufacturing process, distribution and ultimately the use of our printers and MFPs," said Kevin P. Kern, vice president, marketing and product planning, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "Konica Minolta takes this commitment very seriously throughout the entire product lifecycle, and is honored that Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has recognized us as a key participant in this important cause."

Konica Minolta takes significant steps to minimize environmental impact through each stage of a product's entire lifecycle, including disposal. In the spirit of this effort, Konica Minolta has been producing office imaging equipment that either meets or exceeds the Energy Star specifications since 1995.

Last year, a new Energy Star standard for office imaging equipment went into effect. This new specification calls for even tougher energy guidelines for efficient operation and maximum productivity for digital office machines.  With last year's introduction of the next-generation line of bizhub MFPs – including the bizhub C650/C550 systems – Konica Minolta is already exceeding this new specification.  For example, the bizhub C650/C550 systems incorporate the latest energy saving technologies including IH (Induction Heating) fixing and a high-efficiency supply circuitry.  This helps to maintain kilowatt hour usage far below the new maximum weekly consumption limit outlined in the Energy Star program's rigorous international guidelines for energy efficient products; and does so without sacrificing features or productivity.