Epson: no more laser printers!

By: STA Date: 2022. 11. 18. 11:45

The company will completely stop the global sales and distribution of laser printers by 2026. The company justifies the decision by saying that the use of inkjet printers represents a significant step forward in terms of sustainability. The reason for this lies in the way the different technologies work – laser requires heat to burn the ink onto the paper, while inkjet technology works cold and requires less energy.

(Photo: Epson)

Epson stops selling laser printers because this technology has only a limited ability to operate more sustainably. The news comes a year after Epson announced its ¥100 billion investment in sustainable innovation.

“Leaving the laser printer market was inevitable. As a company, we are committed to sustainable innovation and action that goes beyond selling laser printers. Business inkjets consume more energy and use more supplies,” said Rob Clark, senior vice president, EMEA, Epson. “Our company is now 100% focused on piezo heatless inkjet printers, and with the help of our appropriate technology, we provide efficient, sustainable printing solutions for our partners and end users.”

The market for business inkjet printers is forecast to grow, at the expense of laser printers. According to IDC data, the market for business inkjet printers in Western Europe will grow by +5.1% per year, while the demand for laser printing will decrease by -0.4% per year. Central and Eastern Europe shows similar trends , as well as the Middle Eastern market. Based on IDC’s research, 88% of decision makers consider energy consumption and waste to be “extremely” or “very” important when choosing new printing devices.

(Photo: Epson)

Epson Enterprise’s new product range

At the same time as the announcement, the company also presented a new product line. The new multifunctional business models of the WorkForce Enterprise AM series with a printing capacity of 40-60 pages per minute ensure sustainable, heat-free operation, and the wide selection meets all needs. Thanks to the small space requirement and light design, the products help to reduce the resources used during production and delivery. High-capacity ink cartridges reduce material consumption, transportation, storage, and the need to handle supplies, as well as reduce downtime for routine maintenance.

Gareth Jay, Epson Europe, said: “Our new printers complete the range of business inkjet MFPs from small workgroup devices to high-speed office units, meaning that whatever your business function or printing need, we’ve got it all to offer a suitable product. Every product in our business inkjet printer range provides businesses with the technology they need to achieve their own sustainability goals. We are dedicated and proud to produce sustainable technology for our partners and customers that truly contributes to reducing power consumption and CO2 emissions. Every business that switches to inkjet technology contributes to a more sustainable society.”