Colop Printer Special Edition "Liquid Wood"

The Printer Special Edition, which is offered this year already in its third
edition, is in the truest sense of the word “something special”. The Printer
Special Edition 2011 is mainly made of "Liquid Wood", an innovative and
pioneering material. As the term "Liquid Wood" already implies, this material
has to do with wood. Specifically, it is a bio-plastic made predominantly from
lignin.

NATURAL MATERIAL

Plants consist of up to 30% lignin. This is largely responsible for their
rigidity and one of the most commonly occurring organic compounds on the planet.
Millions of tons of lignin are produced every year.

Lignin is primarily obtained in paper production by separating wood into
cellulose and lignin. While the cellulose fibres are processed into paper, the
by-product lignin is used almost exclusively for energy production.

Lignin is a natural polymer, in contrast to (typical) synthetic polymers made
from petroleum. Researchers have now succeeded in using the natural polymer
lignin as the basis for innovative materials. By mixing in various materials and
additives as well as strengthening fibres such as hemp or flax, the bioplastic
“Liquid Wood” exhibits similar properties to impact-resistant plastics (such as
ABS).

The wood used in Liquid Wood originates exclusively from sustainable,
certified forestry (PEFC-certified). Liquid Wood is 100% biodegradable. Because
the source material wood is CO2-neutral, Liquid Wood also has a very small CO2
footprint.

COLOP QUALITY

Stamps of the special edition “Liquid Wood” are of course subjected to the
same stringent durability tests that all COLOP stamps must pass.