Resource Efficiency
Remanufacturing of Multifunction Devices

Since 1992, Canon has undertaken remanufacturing of used multifunction devices. This process involves a system that automatically determines which parts should be reused, based on operating data about the equipment, such as the number of years in use, its history of breakdowns, and the number of pages printed. Then, following strict reuse standards, we replace any parts that show wear or deterioration. The production line and inspection processes used are on a par with those for devices made only with new parts. When a remanufactured device is shipped, it is guaranteed to offer the same level of quality as a new product. We market remanufactured devices from the imageRUNNER ADVANCE series under the Refreshed series brand in Japan and under the ES series brand in Europe.

Remanufacturing Flowchart (Canon Ecology industry, in japan)

1. Collection

The used products that have been collected are gathered up and go through an initial check

2. Disassembly

The exterior covers and parts are removed

3. Cleaning

The body's frame and the parts that were disassembled are cleaned

4. Assembly process

The cleaned frames are assembled with new and reused parts, and then the exterior covers are attached.

5. Inspection

The same inspection as for new products are done to make sure that all the functions work appropriately.

6. Shipping and sales

The products are packaged just like a new product, and the sent to market.

Remanufacturing of Multifunction Devices
imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3530F-RG

Using meticulous washing and cleaning processes, along with sandblast polishing* to remove the smallest imperfections and other special treatments, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3530F-RG of the Refreshed series achieved a reused parts ratio of over 94%. To promote further recycling in our multifunction devices, Canon is creating product platforms to standardize parts and designing products that are easy to reuse and recycle through disassembly and cleaning.

• * A technique for polishing resin surfaces by blasting with microparticles

Reuse of Parts

Canon collects post-use maintenance parts from used products. After being washed and cleaned, the parts are incorporated into recycled products put back on the market. This work is done by Canon Giessen in Germany and by Canon Ecology Industry in Japan, with Canon Virginia in the United States expected to begin production using this method from 2024. In fact, to meet maintenance demand after ceasing the production of machine casings, Canon Ecology Industry has new and recycled production lines operating in parallel. Extracting and re-using the materials from post-collection machines is reducing how much new resources are required in production.

Development and Use of Recycled Plastic with PCR^* Rate of 100%

Canon Ecology Industry operates a closed-loop recycling system in which plastic parts extracted from collected machines are separated, washed and crushed to form pellets. The recycled plastic pellets are shipped to Canon production sites, creating a loop with a PCR rate of 100%. The cumulative volume of pellets shipped as of the end of 2023 was 26 tons.

• * PCR= post-consumer recycling (proportion of materials from returned post-use products that is recycled)