Hansol Paper Expands Supply of 'BPA-Free' Eco-Friendly Receipts

Eco-friendly receipt paper used at E-Mart with the phrase "BPA-free produced by Hansol Paper." [Photo by Hansol Paper].

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Hansol Paper is taking the lead in efforts to ensure consumer safety through a campaign supplying eco-friendly receipts distributed in the domestic market.

Since August, Hansol Paper has been supplying receipts printed with the phrase "BPA Free produced by Hansol Paper" to major SPC Group stores including Emart, Paris Baguette, and Baskin Robbins. From September, these receipt papers have also been provided directly to consumers, the company announced on the 28th.

To alleviate consumer concerns about Bisphenol A (BPA), Hansol Paper marks the back of the receipts with a "BPA Free" reassurance message, differentiating them from low-cost thermal paper receipts imported from China that contain BPA.

Bisphenol A is mainly used in plastic containers such as water bottles and tableware, and in thermal paper, it serves as a developer that produces the printed text color on receipts. Overseas, the BPA content is strictly regulated, and recently, domestic regulations have been strengthened to limit BPA content in thermal paper to less than 0.02% of total weight, aligning with European Union (EU) standards.

Hansol Paper proactively ceased supplying receipt paper containing BPA from the second half of 2019 and is committed to supplying eco-friendly products, including developing recycled thermal paper containing recycled pulp.

A Hansol Paper official stated, "There are cases where some low-cost imported thermal papers actually contain BPA but falsely label themselves as 'BPA Free,' causing consumer anxiety. Therefore, Hansol Paper plans to clearly indicate guidance messages on its thermal paper so that consumers can use receipts with confidence and will focus on campaigns related to supplying eco-friendly receipts."

Meanwhile, receipts bearing Hansol Paper’s reassurance message are currently used not only at major SPC Group stores such as Emart, Paris Baguette, Baskin Robbins, and Dunkin Donuts but also, through collaboration with global payment service provider Fiserv Korea and SPC Group’s marketing solutions company Sector Nine, the application scope will continue to expand to restaurants, coffee shops, and more.