The Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Atlanta, is working to bring soy ink into your home and office with consumer-use toners.
In a project sponsored by the Ohio Soybean Council, the institute is developing a new soy ink toner for use in copiers and laser printers. The soy-based toner should be easier to remove during recycling.
Since its introduction in 1987, soy ink has become a widely used alternative to petroleum-based inks. But it has been limited to newsprint and commercial printing.
Consumer-use toners are expected to hit the market in three to five years.