Inkless Printer Zink Buys Konica Minolta Plant

July 9, 2007 - Zink Imaging, developers of zero ink digital printing, last week announced it bought a North Carolina manufacturing facility from former digital camera maker Konica Minolta. The new  plant will be the site for manufacturing a new kind of digital printer paper that will not require ink, according to a July 3 Zink press release.

Headquartered in Massachusetts, Zink holds patents for paper that promises truly inkless printing. Instead of traditional ink, Zink paper uses thermal dye crystals that, when heated, are activated to produce colors on white digital photo paper. In February, Zink announced plans for a dual mobile camera and printer, although the company had not officially announced potential partners.

The new manufacturing facility is located in Whitsett, N.C. and consists of 85 acres. Built in 1989, the plant was once the site for imaging product coating and chemical mixing. Zink plans to hire 60 employees for its new location.

'We are proud to support high tech innovation and manufacturing in the United States,' said Zink Imaging President and CEO Wendy Caswell. 'Adding the experience and knowledge base inherent in the Konica Minolta team further strengthens Zink Imaging as a ground breaking technology and manufacturing company.'