Epson PaperLab turns waste paper into new paper

Seiko Epson has developed the world’s first compact office papermaking system capable of producing new paper from shredded waste paper without requiring the use of water.

PaperLab is what the machine is called and will be introduced into commercial production in 2016, targeting businesses and government offices to install a PaperLab to produce their own paper of various sizes and thickness.

EPSON doesn’t provide a detailed process on how the PaperLab works but as we know right now it seems like it consists of three separate processes:

Fiberizing

Using an original mechanism, waste paper is transformed into long, thin cottony fibres. This process immediately and completely destroys confidential documents. Since the PaperLab does not use water, it does not require plumbing facilities. That, plus its compact size, makes it easy to install in the backyard of an office.

Binding

A variety of different binders can be added to the fiberized material to increase the binding strength or whiteness of the paper or to add colour, fragrance, flame resistance, or other properties needed for a given application.

Forming

Users can produce sheets of A4 or A3 office paper and even paper for business cards thanks to forming technology that allows them to control the density, thickness, and size of paper.

Pokdepinion: This is what we call innovation; initial costs for new technology are generally not cheap but will increasingly become more affordable. Given that this technology is environmentally friendly and may also help save money in the long run, people may actually have a reason to support this technology.