Development tendency of color former for thermal paper and carbonless paper

The market capacity of color former for thermal paper

Since the 90s of last century, due to the development of electronic technology and the inevitable trend of paperless development and living habits, the use of carbon-free paper in developed countries has been declining year by year, and its related manufacturers have been reduced by more than 60%. In China, India, Brazil and other developing countries, the use of non-carbon paper is more stable, but the global usage is still gradually reduced.

However, the usage of color former for thermal paper has been increasing slightly. Due to various factors such as the production cost of finished paper, the growth in the developed countries is far less than the growth in the developing countries. In particular, the U.S. market has been at a negative growth stage, while the European and Japanese market is relatively stable, but it encounters competitive pressures from emerging markets such as China.

At present, the total market demand for thermal couplers is 6,000 tons / year, but the production capacity is over 8,000 tons / year. The fierce market competition has resulted in the market price being reduced by almost 50% in recent years. It is estimated that in the near future, like toner, about one-third of the manufacturers will withdraw from the market.

The Development tendency of color former for thermal paper

Development of a new color former for thermal paper

Including the development of new-architecture color former for thermal paper  and the substituent modification of prior structured color former for thermal paper. The former strives for development to find a new type of structure color former for thermal paper with simple production, low cost, convenient use and stable performance. The latter is based on production costs, patent avoidance, performance improvement, security and other needs and development.

Development of new application of color former for thermal paper

The technology is rapidly developing in recent years, a new technology, including reversible color technology, photochromic technology. As well as in the coatings, printing and dyeing, clothing, indicators and other fields of application development.

Related developer, sensitizer and coating technology improvements of color former for thermal paper

Existing color former for thermal paper have slow color development, low color strength, poor light stability, poor thermal stability, poor resistance aging effect, not moisture and other various shortcomings. Through the developer, sensitizer, stabilizer, solvent oil and coating technology changes and enhancements, the performance, use and preservation of the color former for thermal paper are significantly improved.

Color former for thermal paper and intermediates production process improvement

As the color former for thermal paper has high raw material consumption, high energy consumption, low yield, “three wastes” and other shortcomings in the production process. In recent years, all relevant production plants have tried to develop new production technology to reduce costs and energy consumption and reduce pollutant emissions. Such as the development of new routes, the use of new synthetic technology, “three wastes” management technology and so on. In recent years, the relevant color former for thermal paper significantly lower market price, the great reason is the introduction of new technologies.