Paper can be reused up to 500 times. Toshiba has unveiled a
printer that can print, erase and reprint on a single sheet of
special paper up to 500 times. The B-SX8R uses specially
engineered paper similar to the thermal paper used in early fax
machines, except it can be erased and is much more durable. The
sheets are made of plastic and can be recycled at the end of
their lives. Toshiba's process uses a special pigment in the
paper that reacts to heat. If heated above 180 degrees
centigrade the pigment turns black, creating an image on the
sheet. However, if the surface is heated to between 130 and 170
degrees the pigment reverts to white, allowing the image to be
'erased'. Special marker pens are also available, which can be
erased from the paper using an optional cleaning machine.
Toshiba is touting reduced CO2 emissions created during the
paper production process. Traditional paper manufacture and
waste creates 6.5kg of CO2 emissions per 1,000 sheets, compared
to 1kg for the same quantity of rewritable pap