Ricoh 2014 Annual Report Download - page 72

Ricoh Group Sustainability Report 201471
Ourgoalistoreducetheconsumptionofnewresourcesby25%by2020(fromthe2007level).To
reach that goal, we utilize materials in the most effective way possible, including minimization of
new inputs. We are making our products smaller and lighter, employing parts with longer lifecycles,
recycling and reusing parts and products, and expanding the use of renewable resources.
Smaller and lighter products
Weight reduced by 65% and dimensions by 37%
The full-color MFPs in the RICOH MP C6003/C5503/
C4503/C3503/C3003 series (launched June 2013)
are more than 65% lighter than previous models
in their class. The series features thinner resin and
metal plates, as well as a new, lightweight frame
equipped with reinforced surfaces and corners for
cabinet solidity.
After repeated simulations to test strength and
shock resistance, we successfully lowered body
weight from 298 kg to 102 kg. And by redesigning
the paper-feed, we were able to integrate a side
cabinetwiththemainunit,resultingina37%
reduction of the dimensions. Overall, by making it
lighter and more compact—and by using recycled
and biomass plastic—we have created a product
that uses resources more efciently to place less of
aburden on the environment.
*1 Due to the gap between
the total volume produced
annually by the steel industry
(millions of tons) and the
amount Ricoh consumes
annually, not all the scrap iron
we recycle will find its way
back into metal sheets used in
our products. We believe we
have turned this situation into
a virtual closed loop through
cooperation with a steel
manufacturer.Bymanaging
processes from the collection
of scrap iron to the production
of metal sheets in electric
furnaces, we can compensate
for the difference between
the amount of scrap iron we
supply and the amount of
metal sheets we purchase.
Resource Conservation and Recycling
• Resource input structure and ve
reduction measures
• Reduction of MFP size: Current and previous generations compared
➤WEB1FrontRunner : www.ricoh.com/about/company/technology/rd/f_runner/fr12/
Use of recycled materials
Products made from electric-furnace steel sheets
The Ricoh Group is maximizing use of renewable
resources by developing new kinds of recycled
materials suitable for imaging equipment.
Most imaging equipment primarily uses steel
sheets made in blast furnaces (i.e. sheets made from
iron ore), due to the need for thinness, conductivity
and ease of processing. Steel sheets produced in
electric furnaces (i.e. sheets made principally from
steel scrap) are used mainly as construction material.
The Ricoh Group, in cooperation with Tokyo Steel
Co., Ltd., developed an industry rst: electric
furnace-made steel sheets that have properties
similar to those of blast-furnace steel sheets. These
new sheets—comprised of 100% recycled steel
scrap—are suitable for imaging machines.
We rst used electric-furnace steel sheets to make
partsfortheimagioMP9002/7502/6002/6002GP
series released in July 2012. In 2013, parts made
from electric-furnace steel sheets were also being
used in other Ricoh machines sold throughout the
world—RICOH MP C8002 SP/C6502 SP.
We are continuing efforts to increase the use
of recycled steel in our machines so as to reduce
the need for new resources and cut the cost of
procurement. To that end, the Ricoh Group has
established a “closed loop materials recycling”
system for iron*1. This allows us to sell iron recovered
from used Ricoh products to steel manufacturers
and secure a stable supply of steel sheets.
We are preparing for this possibility by creating
more uses for electric-furnace steel sheets. This will
allow us to take advantage of scrap iron surpluses
and make the program less vulnerable to price
uctuations.➤ WEB1
750mm
(Depth: 850mm)
587mm
(Depth: 685mm)
37% smaller
dimensions
750mm
587mm
850mm
685mm
Previous generation
(imagio MP C6001)
Current generation
(RICOH MP C6003)
Comparison of
dimensions
Total reduction
Total consumption of resources
Reduction of product size and weight
Reuse of products and parts
Use of recycled materials
Use of renewable resources
Longer parts life
Consumption
of virgin
resources