Milton Keynes UK, 17 June 2008
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan has awarded the Konica Minolta bizhub C550 and bizhub C650 the ‘Energy Conservation Grand Prize for Excellent Energy Conservation Equipment’. The multifunctional systems were awarded this commendation for their environmental friendly design and usage. They have low energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions thanks to the new Induction Heating technology and polymerised Simitri HD Toner developed by Konica Minolta.

The Induction Heating (IH) Fusing technology, used in the bizhub C550 and bizhub C650 as well as in the bizhub C451 significantly reduces power consumption through efficient heating. In conventional multifunctionals with halogen heating, the fusing process accounts for more than 60 percent of the total power consumed, mainly due to the longer warm-up time. Induction Fusing uses induction heat transfer, an instant heat source shortening warm-up time considerably and enabling image fusing at lower temperatures than conventional fusing.

The Energy Conservation Grand Prix additionally acknowledged the environmental performance of Konica Minolta’s polymerised Simitri HD (High Definition) toner, that is not only used in the bizhub models C550 and C650, but throughout the bizhub printer and multifunctional range. Simitri HD toner is made of smaller and more uniform particles than conventional pulverised toner powder. Simitri HD particles are soft on the inside and hard on the outside allowing the toner to melt at lower temperatures, so bizhub multifunctionals need less power for the fusing process. The manufacturing process for Simitri HD toner also requires less energy as well.

Konica Minolta strives to minimise the environmental impact of its products and evaluates its multifunctionals according to the strict criteria of the internationally recognised Blue Angel and Energy Star labels. All larger bizhub models – the Konica Minolta bizhub C203, C253, C535, C451, C550 and C650 – are certified with these environmental labels.

Commenting on the award, John Howard, Head of Marketing for Konica Minolta (UK) said, “Konica Minolta is committed to making our products environmentally friendly during the manufacturing process, distribution and ultimately the use of our printers and multifunctionals. We take this commitment very seriously throughout the entire product lifecycle, and the company is delighted that Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has recognised us as a key participant in this important cause.”

Ends.

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd markets business machines manufactured by Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc, in the United Kingdom through a direct sales force and a network of independent dealerships. Konica Minolta digital imaging systems are manufactured in Japan and China. All are ISO9002 accredited for quality procedures. 

UK turnover for Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd is in excess of £150 million, placing the company fifth in the digital copier market with a 6.8 per cent share of the black and white market and a dominant 30.5 per cent share of the colour market (not including colour capable systems) according to InfoSource.

In Europe overall, Konica Minolta occupies the number 1 market position in true colour.

With a total workforce of 19,800 employees world wide, Konica Minolta Business Technologies generated net sales of over £3.15 billion in fiscal 2005/2006. Globally Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. has a turnover £5.07 billion. Building on its strong core of optical technologies developed over many years, Konica Minolta Business Technologies aims to be a corporation offering products and services that are essential to all areas of digital imaging.

For further information contact:    
John Howard
Head of Marketing
Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd  
Tel: 01908 200400
Fax: 08701 321751
E-mail: John.Howardkonicaminolta.co.uk
Web: www.konicaminolta.co.uk

Editorial enquiries:
Glyn Pritchard
Vox Communications
Tel: 01892 825043
Fax: 0870 162 3983
E-mail: glyn.pritchardvoxcomm.co.uk