Dalian, 5 September 2007 - OKI Printing Solutions (the brand name of Oki Data Corporation) and Dalian Polytechnic today announced their agreement to partner in developing innovative paper using annual plants, instead of wooden-based paper. Leveraging their strengths, the forest-saving paper developed and manufactured will be of high quality, ideal for color printers. The eco-friendly paper will be launched and mass produced initially for the Asian market by 2009.

In China, there has been growing need for an ideal paper of high quality for color page printers. Suppling high quality paper made of wood had become a challenge to meet such demand since wooden pricing increased due to the expanding deserted areas. Thus, paper using annual plants such as hibiscus cannabinus had been produced. However, there were issues for it to be used for color page printers because of the lack of glossiness and excessive paper powder amount.

Under the joint research, paper with high functionality that excels in physical characteristics such as toner transfer efficiency, coefficient of friction necessary to maintain continuous stability, electrical resistance and smooth surface will be developed. Dalian Polytechnic will analyze the paper and research the materials to be used and the manufacturing process. Oki Data Corporation will test the paper's physical characteristics and printed image.

"As China continues to grow rapidly, paper consumption has become one of the key issues in terms of environmental conservation." said Mikihiko Maeno, CEO and President of Oki Data Corporation. "not only will we contribute to the development of recycling paper ideal for color page printers but we will also aim to hold back the expanding deserted areas."

OKI Printing Solutions is committed to developing products, services, and processes that are environmentally friendly and help maintain a sustainable future.