Washington DC – 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 their award-winning bizhub C8000/C7000/C6000 Series of Color Digital Presses scored industry leading results in the latest deinking tests of the International Deinking Industry Association (INGEDE).

INGEDE is an association of leading European paper manufacturers founded in 1989, and aims to promote the utilization of recovered graphic paper (e.g. newsprint, magazines, office paper, etc.) and improving the conditions for an extended use of recovered paper for the production of graphic and hygiene papers.

Deinking, defined as the removal of ink or toner from recovered paper, is the key process in today's paper recycling process. INGEDE recently carried out lab tests to assess the deinkability of printouts from multiple vendors, and multiple digital presses from Konica Minolta scored top results. Printed materials from the bizhub PRESS C8000, bizhub PRESS C7000/C7000P, and bizhub PRESS C6000 show excellent deinking properties and contribute to further closing of the paper loop.

These systems passed the rigorous tests with tope marks, and the success is based on Konica Minolta's exclusive Simitri HD color polymerized toner. Developed specifically for the production print market, Simitri HD delivers smoother halftones and a vast improvement in text reproduction and sharpness. In addition, its characteristics small particle size leads to less toner use resulting in cost savings. End-users can be sure Konica Minolta's digital presses are not printing at the expense of the environment while meeting their customers' strict standards for both color and quality.

"Throughout our long and storied history, Konica Minolta has been a global leader in developing best practices and technologies designed with the environment in mind – saving energy, minimizing pollution and reducing environmental impact through the entire life cycle of our products," said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "The INGEDE test results are evidence of our commitment, and ensure print professionals can count on Konica Minolta to deliver award-winning technologies to meet all of their digital printing needs."

Witness firsthand the award-winning technology from Konica Minolta at the 2011 ON DEMAND Conference and Exposition (March 22-24) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. To reserve a spot at the Konica Minolta press conference, schedule a personal tour of the Konica Minolta Booth (#2400), and/or an executive interview, please contact James Norberto at [email protected].