Thermal paper free of chemical color developers that releases images from a purely physical process. This product consists of three layers: a base paper, a colored paper, and an opaque paper layer. The opaque layer is comprised of polymeric particles (opaque styrene acrylic resin hollow spheres) that hide the pigmented-colored layer. When the opaque layer is exposed to heat, it becomes transparent, creating the print by revealing the colored layer underneath. Conventional thermal printing paper uses chemical developers, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS); these chemical developers may be harmful to the endocrine system and the environment. This product easily integrates tables into current systems as it's compatible with most existing printers. Additionally, this product is more durable than current thermal paper because it can survive direct exposure to sunlight.
EPA Green Chemistry Challenge: 2017 Designing Greener Chemicals Award
Dow Chemical Company and Koehler