Fuji Xerox won the Technology Award for fiscal 2003 from the Imaging Society of Japan for its development of EA (Emulsion Aggregation) toner.
In contrast to conventional powder-based toners, EA (Emulsion Aggregation) toner is formed through a chemical process by mixing, coalescing and then heating pigment and latex particles in a solution. With this method, uniform particles with size of 5.8 micrometers each (average particle diameter) are manufactured with reduced CO2 emission in its manufacturing process, while achieving higher print quality.
The manufacturing process differs from ordinary powder-based toners in that the size of pigment and latex particles is increased rather than minimized, making it possible to cut CO2 emissions by 35 percent. The shape of the particles can be controlled with precision by employing this method, thus enabling images to be more efficiently transferred to paper. The amount of toner used is also reduced by 37 percent.
As the toner is oil-less, it applies evenly and thinly. As a result, it is easier to annotate and use self-adhesive notes, while also enhancing the clarity of fine lines. In addition, photos and graphics appear much more natural as glossiness is reduced.
EA toner is manufactured at Fuji Xerox Imaging Materials Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Xerox. It was first used in the DocuCentre Color 500/500 CP, a digital color multifunction machine that was released in September 2001. Thereafter, it was employed in a succession of other digital color multifunction machines, namely, DocuCentre Color 400 CP, DocuCentre Color 320 CP and DocuCentre Color 240 CP, as well as the desktop color laser printer, DocuPrint C3530.
The Imaging Society of Japan Technology Award recognizes digital photography technology, Non-Impact Printing (NIP) technology and peripheral technology that displays outstanding originality and exceptional applicability. The prize is limited to technology used in items that have been on the market for more than one but less than three years.
