Remanufactured toner cartridges from Ten-Print target Brother models, intensifying competition in the aftermarket supplies sector.
Ten-Print, a prominent aftermarket consumables manufacturer, has launched a new range of remanufactured toner cartridges specifically for Brother printers, directly challenging OEM sales and expanding options for businesses seeking sustainable printing solutions.
This strategic expansion signals increasing competition within the printer consumables market, directly impacting original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and offering procurement managers new avenues for cost reduction and environmental responsibility. The move affects corporate IT departments, managed print service providers, and recyclers handling end-of-life cartridges.
Aftermarket Expansion Targets Brother's Dominance
Ten-Print's decision to focus on Brother models reflects a calculated entry into a significant segment of the global printer market. Brother International Corporation reported net sales of ¥753.8 billion ($5.1 billion USD) for its FY2023, with its printing and solutions business contributing a substantial portion. Remanufacturers like Ten-Print aim to capture a share of the recurring revenue generated by toner sales, which often represent the most profitable aspect of printer ownership for OEMs.
- The new range covers popular Brother series, including the HL, DCP, and MFC lines.
- Ten-Print emphasizes a closed-loop manufacturing process, reusing original Brother cartridge cores.
- The company guarantees performance comparable to OEM specifications, offering a full warranty on all remanufactured units.
- Analysts predict this will intensify price pressure on Brother's genuine toner offerings, particularly for high-volume corporate clients.
Operational Implications for ITAD and E-Waste Processors
The proliferation of remanufactured cartridges, particularly those using OEM cores, presents both opportunities and challenges for e-waste and ITAD operators. While a robust remanufacturing sector can extend the life of cartridge components and reduce the overall volume of e-waste, it also complicates material stream management.
ITAD firms handling large volumes of decommissioned office equipment will encounter a higher mix of remanufactured cartridges. This necessitates refined sorting protocols to differentiate between OEM, remanufactured, and compatible cartridges, as their end-of-life processing and potential for further reuse can vary significantly. For e-waste recyclers, the primary benefit lies in the reduced demand for virgin materials and the extended utility of complex plastic and metal components, delaying their entry into the waste stream. However, the eventual recycling of these multi-material cartridges still requires specialized processes to recover plastics, metals, and residual toner powder safely.
What This Means for Recyclers
Recyclers must prepare for an evolving cartridge waste stream. The increased presence of remanufactured units means more consistent core availability for the remanufacturing industry, but also a need for more sophisticated identification systems at collection points. Operators should anticipate a potential shift in the composition of collected toner waste, with a higher percentage of cores suitable for remanufacturing and a reduced proportion of cartridges destined immediately for material recovery. Collaboration with remanufacturers could create new revenue streams for recyclers through the sale of sorted, high-quality OEM cores. Furthermore, as remanufacturing expands, the industry must advocate for standardized labeling and collection practices to ensure maximum resource recovery from all cartridge types.
