Tokyo, January 11, 2013. The bizhub C654/C554/C454/C364/C284/C224 – comprehensive environmental footprint reduction initiatives implemented throughout colour MFPs’ product life cycle. Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. (Konica Minolta BT) today announced that the company is awarded with ‘Eco Mark Award 2012′ Bronze Prize by the Japan Environmental Association.
Established in 2010, Eco Mark Award honours the best efforts for promoting environmentally-friendly products such as Eco Mark certified products, helping consumers make environmentally- conscious choice of products and contributing to sustainable society through corporations’ efforts to improve environmental performance.
Konica Minolta BT is awarded Eco Mark Award 2012 Bronze Prize for environmental footprint reduction initiatives throughout the life cycle of its colour MFPs (multi-functional peripherals) bizhub C series (including C754, C654 and C554). This is the first time that an MFP manufacturer is awarded Bronze Prize. The award ceremony is scheduled on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 during Eco Mark Communication Forum at Tokyo Women’s Plaza.
Recognizing its potential to make a contribution to the solution of environmental problems by developing innovative technologies that lead to improved environmental performance, the Konica Minolta Group set its long-term environmental vision, ‘Eco Vision 2050,’ which looks all the way out to the 2050, and the Medium-Term Environmental Plan 2015, which established major objectives and specific goals to be implemented by the target year of fiscal 2015. The Group has committed itself to the ‘Three Green Activities,’ consisting of ‘Green Products Certification System,’ ‘Green Factory Certification System,’ and ‘Green Marketing Activities,’ that will help it reach these goals.
At the start of the product planning of the bizhub C series, Konica Minolta BT made it mandatory to obtain certification of Eco Mark and other environmental certification labels across the world. In addition, the bizhub C754/654/C554/C454/C364/C284/C224 have been certified as ‘Green Products Plus (GPplus)’ that achieve the industry’s top environmental performance in Konica Minolta’s own Green Products Certification System. Aiming to achieve higher environmental performance, Konica Minolta BT has been heavily investing in research and development.
For example, power consumption levels have decreased by achieving fixation at a lower temperature through improvement of the polymerized toner used in earlier models and improving the heat generation efficiency of fixing heaters using induction heating technology. Konica Minolta BT has also developed, for the first time in the industry, a recycled plastic by evenly mixing recycled PET* and recycled PC** to create a material that has the required strength and fire-retardant properties to meet safety standards and can be mold injected. This recycled plastic was first used in the bizhub C754 and C654 MFPs, followed by other models. Recycled PET is made from recovered and recycled plastic drinking bottles, and recycled PC is made from recovered and recycled one-gallon jugs from water coolers. The new recycled plastic material makes effective use of existing resources.
At the factory in China, where these colour MFPs are manufactured, a company-wide project team was assembled to re-evaluate the environmental initiatives the factory had in place. They implemented various measures, including reviewing the production area layout to improve operating efficiency, installing highly-efficient light fixtures, and introducing reusable cartons for use in packaging procured parts and components. The factory received Level 1 Green Factory certification in November 2011.
Under the Communication Message ‘Giving Shape to Ideas,’ Konica Minolta BT is willing to share challenges its customers face and contribute to the solutions through innovative ideas and actions. Reduction in environmental footprint has been a global challenge and an important theme for Konica Minolta BT’s businesses. The company is determined to drive technological breakthroughs, acquire Eco Mark and other environmental labels and further improve customer satisfaction in environmentally- friendly products.
The awards ceremony for the Eco Mark Awards was held on February 6, and was attended by President Yamana, who received a commemorative trophy. Mr Yamazaki, director of the Environment Division, participated in the presentation session along with representatives of the award-winning companies.
For more information on the Eco Mark, please visit:
http://www.ecomark.jp/english/index.html
For more information on green initiatives from Konica Minolta, please visit:
http://www.biz.konicaminolta.com/environment/index.html KMBT was awarded the Eco Mark Award 2012 Bronze Prize for its efforts to reduce environmental impact throughout the life cycle of the bizhub Colour series colour MFPs (including C754/C654/C554).

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About Konica Minolta Business Solutions (M) Sdn. Bhd

Established in 1981, Konica Minolta Business Solutions celebrates its 44^th year in business with a network of 12 branches throughout Malaysia to support its growing customer base. Drawing from the rich history of Konica Minolta which dates back to 1873; they are always evolving, and continue to provide innovative solutions to make the ‘Workplace of the Future’ a reality. The Company is committed to digitally transforming businesses with the goal of helping them save time and improve productivity. From information management to technology-enabling tools; Konica Minolta Business Solutions offer a suite of services and hardware so businesses can access information at a faster pace, support mobility and optimise business processes with workflow automation. They also offer digital manufacturing solutions, state-of-the-art technology and continue to grow their organic print business covering office printing, production and industrial printing. Konica Minolta, Inc. has also been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for nine years in a row. For more information, please visit http://www.konicaminolta.com.my/ and follow KonicaMinoltaMY on Facebook and Linkedin

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