Epson PaperLab Q-5000 and Q-40 paper recycling machines create new printer paper from used
Epson has launched the PaperLab Q-5000 and Q-40 paper recycling machines that allow businesses to save money by recycling used printer paper into new paper.
Used paper is first shredded by the Epson Q-40 units, which are similar to an office copier in size and can be placed throughout branch offices. The shredded paper is then fed into the Q-5000 machine to undergo a multi-step paper recycling process.
The shredded paper is further reduced to even finer paper fibers through defibration, rendering all printed information securely unrecoverable. The fibers are mixed with a naturally-derived binder and a small amount of water to create a continuous output of thick fiber base. The fiber base is then pressed between rollers under high pressure to the thickness of regular paper and cut to the dimension of regular copier paper. The resulting fiber paper can be used like regular paper in printers and copiers, and recycled again.
The Q-5000 paper processor can produce 360 sheets of plain A4-sized paper with a thickness of 80 g/m². It can also produce paper with a thickness of 180 g/m². The machine requires a 3-phase 200V AC outlet rated for 30 amps and consumes 3.4 kw. The unit measures 3,340 × 875 × 1,274 mm (131 x 34 x 50 in.) and weighs 1,065 kg (2,348 lbs.).
The Q-40 paper shredder requires a regular 2-phase 100V AC outlet. The unit measures 508 × 519 × 975 mm (20 x 20 x 38 in.) and weighs 105 kg (231 lbs.).
While pricing information hasn't been made available as of March 18, these are extremely expensive machines that cost thousands of dollars to lease per month.
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March 17, 2025
Epson Sales Co., Ltd.
PaperLab Launches New Lineup of Dry Office Paper Machines "Q-5000" and "Q-40"
Epson Sales Co., Ltd. will commercialize the new PaperLab (prototype) announced at the EcoPro 2023 (SDGs Week EXPO 2023) environmental exhibition in December 2023, and will release the Q-5000 and Q-40 as new products for the dry-type office paper making machine PaperLab on March 17, 2025.
PaperLab Q-5000 Main Unit
PaperLab Q-40 Paper Source Processor
PaperLab was launched by Epson in 2016 and is the first in the world (Note 1) to use no water (Note 2).This is a dry-type office paper machine that can produce new paper using used paper as a raw material. Many customers have introduced the system so far, and through activities related to paper resource recycling in offices and other locations, we have contributed to the realization of a sustainable society by not only reducing environmental impact, but also providing opportunities for diverse human resources to play an active role.
In the new product to be released this time, the paper source processor "Q-40" shreds the contents of documents to the level (Note 3) that makes it unreadable, and the paper fragments are fed into the main unit "Q-5000", making it possible to collect and recycle paper with peace of mind even from a remote location.
*1 The world's first dry-type office papermaking machine (as of November 2016, according to our research)
Note 2: A small amount of water is used to maintain humidity inside the equipment. The Q-5000 also uses a small amount of water to bind the fibers.
*3 Compliant with ISO/IEC 21964-2 Security Level P4.
【Main features】
■ The introduction of the Q-40 paper source processor makes it easy to collect used paper from a remote location.
■ Achieved a reduction in the size of the main body through the development of new technologies (approx. 50% compared to the volume of the current model "A-8100")
■ Repeat recycling is achieved by adopting naturally derived binders and improving the papermaking process.
■ Redesigned to blend in with the office
■ Equipped with "dry fiber technology" that makes fibers without using water (Note 2)
[Price, release date]
Model No. configuration Standard price (tax included) Release Date
Q-5000 Main Unit Open Price March 17, 2025
Q-40 Paper Source Processor Open Price March 17, 2025
【Main Features Details】
■ The introduction of the Q-40 paper source processor makes it easy to collect used paper from a remote location.
This new product is a new paper "Dry Fiber Paper" that uses the Q-40 paper source processor to shred used paper into a shape suitable for recycling and to a level (Note 3) that makes confidential contents illegible, and then inserts shredded paper pieces into the main unit "Q-5000"(Note 4). This process allows you to collect waste paper from a variety of locations with peace of mind. As a result, we will realize a new form of resource circulation that connects multiple companies, offices, and local communities, especially local governments.
*4 A general term for recycled paper made using PaperLab.
"Q-5000" and "Q-40" Image of use in the region
■Achieved a reduction in the size of the main body through the development of new technologies (approx. 50% of the volume of the current model "A-8100" (Note 5))
Compared to the current model, it has evolved into a model that is "easier to introduce into the office" by achieving miniaturization by integrating multiple processes in fiber conversion and molding.
Current models: A-8100, Q-5000
Miniaturization technology (example)
*5 For details, please refer to the external dimensions of the A-8100 and Q-5000 www.epson.jp/products/paperlab/spec.htm
■ Repeat recycling is achieved by adopting naturally derived binders and improving the papermaking process.
Naturally derived materials are used as the "binding material" used to bind fibrous waste paper. As a result, we have reduced the consumption of underground resources, further reduced environmental impact, and promoted a sustainable society. In addition, by improving the papermaking process, it is possible to recycle dry fiber paper repeatedly (Note 6), realizing more effective use of paper resources.
Repeat-recycling
*6 It is assumed that used commercially available copy paper will be mixed in the process of repeat recycling.
■ Redesigned to blend in with the office
The design is "easier to introduce into the office and easier to participate in the circulation of paper". The main unit "Q-5000" uses a wood-grain top plate, and the paper processor "Q-40" uses a leaf motif on the side of the main unit, aiming to make the user feel the environmental contribution.
■ Equipped with "dry fiber technology" that makes fibers without using water (Note 2)
Epson's Dry Fiber Technology is Epson's proprietary technology that converts a wide variety of fiber materials into fibers without using water(2) and combines and molds them according to the application, thereby increasing the functionality of the materials. PaperLab uses this "dry fiber technology" to create new paper from used paper.
Papermaking process with PaperLab Q-5000/Q-40
[PaperLab's lineup promotes the resolution of customer problems]
We will develop two models in the lineup, the A-8100, which will be released in April 2024, and the Q-5000/Q-40, which will be released this time, to help solve customer issues.
Going forward, Epson will continue to expand its circle of environmental contributions and co-create the realization of a sustainable and spiritually prosperous society by making the many people around PaperLab realize the value of environmental contribution through the recycling of paper resources.
The value that PaperLab creates
[Reference]
• About "PaperLab"
www.epson.jp/products/paperlab/
• About "Dry Fiber Technology"
