Konica Minolta's bizhub C650/C550 Digital Colour MFPs Win the 2007 Energy Conservation Grand Prize, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Director-General's Award
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
Corporate Social Responsibility Division
Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. (president: Akio Kitani) is pleased to announce that its bizhub C650 series, namely the bizhub C650 and bizhub C550, of digital colour MFPs won a prestigious energy conservation award from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Officially called the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Director-General's Award, this is one of the 18th Energy Conservation Grand Prizes* in the energy-saving machines and systems category for 2007.
The bizhub C650 series helps save natural resources by dramatically lowering energy consumption. This is achieved through the use of leading technologies such as Konica Minolta's Simitri Toner, with its lower melting point; an IH fixing process that applies inductive heating only to the fixing roller surface; and optimal power control in each operating mode.
These environmental technologies were exhibited at the 32nd Energy and Environment Exhibition (ENEX2008) in Tokyo and Osaka. The Exhibition was held at Tokyo Big Sight from 30 January to 1 February, and then at INTEX Osaka from 21 to 23 February.
Recognising the importance of today's global environmental issues, the Konica Minolta Group is committed to an environmental management philosophy that aims to provide high-quality products and services that not only meet customer needs, but also offer reduced environmental impact. Steps are taken to minimise impact through each product's entire life cycle — from selection of materials, product development and manufacturing, to distribution, use and disposal.
The energy load of digital colour MFPs is relatively high in raw material processing and machine operation stages. Konica Minolta has made strenuous efforts to develop technologies that improve environmental performance, focusing especially on these two stages. These efforts achieved a reduction in both product weight and power consumption that helped the bizhub C650 series earn a rare double distinction: it received both the Blue Angel Mark (a German environmental label) and certification by the international Energy Star Program.
In addition to outstanding energy-saving performance, bizhub C650 series offer enhanced networking and security functions plus a host of features that improve operating ease, all in a stylish black and white body. The series has enjoyed wide popularity in Japan and around the world ever since its release.
Konica Minolta Group is committed to always work with its customers foremost in mind. We will continue to develop and market products that save energy and natural resources, and provide reliable and effective solutions to customers.
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- The Energy Conservation Grand Prize is awarded to companies producing consumer machines and systems that exhibit superior performance in saving energy and natural resources. The Grand Prize is intended to promote the development and widespread use of such energy-saving machines and systems, with the goal of contributing to reduce emissions of CO2 and other gases responsible for global warming and creating an energy-conserving society. This year's award ceremony was held at Tokyo Big Sight on the first day of ENEX2008.