Output StreamsOutput streams or output products are the raw materials that we recover from recycling imaging consumables. Broadly speaking, the output streams that arise from our production lines are shown in the diagram below. Click on each output stream for detailed information.
TonerThis is an electrically charged plastic (powder) used in photocopy machines and laser printers. It adheres to an invisible image that has been charged with the opposite polarity onto a plate or drum or onto the paper itself. Toner is a very fine powder, ranging in particle size from 40 microns down to as small as 8 microns. At end of life, it becomes a contaminant to the plastic fraction of toner cartridges and bottles and must be removed or separated from everything else.
LC Black is a range of black colorant additives known as masterbatch. The product is available in a range of carrier resins, and is therefore suitable for a broad range of applications including plastics for electronics, automotive and consumer products. Ferrous Metal (Fe)Fe is separated from the plastics, toner powder, and other metals by sophisticated magnets. Once separate, the material is sold as a commodity for reuse. Aluminium (Al)Al is separated from plastics and other metals by an eddy current separator. This non ferrous metal is then sold as a commodity for reuse. Stainless steel (SS)SS is separated from the plastic fraction by density separation technologies and is then sold as a commodity for reuse. Precious metals (PM)Small volumes of PM are recovered from some inkjet cartridges. The PM bearing plastic and/or foam is separated by density and sent to a refinery for reclamation as a commodity. PlasticsClose the Loop recovers a large variety of plastics from it's production lines including polyolephins and engineering grade styrenics. The plastics that we can recover in large enough volumes of clean material are either sold into 'closed material loops' for reuse in new cartridges, or into open loops for Close the Loop products and commodities. The mixed and contaminated plastics that result from poor cartridge design, are used in our eWood® and eLumber® products. For more information see materials hierarchy , products and design for environment sections of this website.
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Close the Loop has developed a range of Black colorants made from up to 40% post consumer toner powder. These products have been developed in partnership with Culamix, an expert in additives for the plastics industry, under the brand name LC Black. 
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